By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 18: The Meghalaya International Exporters Chamber of Commerce (MIECC) has voiced concern over the ongoing internet outage at the Dawki Land Port since June 16, disrupting limestone exports to Bangladesh.
MIECC secretary Dolly Khonglah on Wednesday informed that customs officials are unable to process export documents due to the introduction of the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system, which replaced manual billing.
With BSNL being the sole internet service provider at the port, the lack of a stable connection has brought export operations to a standstill.
Khonglah expressed dismay that no alternative internet providers are permitted, despite their availability in the area.
She also informed that the BSNL connection is unstable and prone to frequent breakdowns, severely impacting trade activities and leaving truck drivers stranded with limestone-laden vehicles.
“The truck drivers are suffering, and trading has come to a halt. Customs cannot issue bills without internet access,” she said, adding that port officials are doing their best to resolve the issue.
Khonglah said that the BSNL has attributed the disruption to road excavation work but pointed out that internet instability has been a long-standing problem at the port.
While supporting the shift to the EDI system, the MIECC secretary questioned its implementation amid inadequate digital infrastructure. She also stressed the need for backup internet services to prevent future trade disruptions.
Urging immediate intervention from customs authorities and the government, Khonglah emphasised the importance of maintaining uninterrupted trade operations at Dawki, which contributes significantly to central and state revenue through foreign exchange.