Businesses in Siliguri are grappling with economic setbacks as the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh causes a sharp decline in Bangladeshi visitors. The town, known for its tourism, education, and medical services, heavily depends on cross-border travellers, many of whom have now cancelled plans.
The unrest in Bangladesh, coupled with reports of violence against minorities, has deterred travel, particularly among students and patients seeking education and healthcare in Siliguri. This has left hotels operating at low occupancy and cross-border bus services running empty for over a week.
Bipin Kumar Gupta, a local hotelier, described the crisis as unprecedented. “Tourism from Bangladesh is crucial for us. Now, with fewer visitors, our businesses are suffering immensely,” he said. Many hotels, which usually enjoy peak bookings during this season, have seen a wave of cancellations.
Transportation services have also been severely impacted. Shiv Prasad Ghosh, an operator of the Siliguri-Dhaka bus route, reported zero passengers for days, leading to mounting losses. “If visas are not issued and the situation doesn’t improve, we cannot sustain operations,” he stated.
Siliguri, strategically located near Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, has long been a hub for cross-border trade and travel. However, the current turmoil has disrupted these links, with local businesses urging the Indian and Bangladeshi governments to restore normalcy through dialogue.
With the peak tourist season in full swing, stakeholders are anxiously hoping for a resolution to revive cross-border movement and restore economic stability in the region. “We need bilateral efforts to restore the flow of visitors and support the livelihoods that depend on it,” Gupta added.
