Bangladesh does not announce figures of visas it issues to Indians. But its missions in New Delhi and Kolkata also witness a rush. The outflow from India, however, is only a fraction of the inflow.

There is an element of selectivity. Samaresh Mazumdar, a popular Bengali novelist on both sides of the border, was denied a visa in 2006 because of the contents of one of his books.

In May 2001, India and Bangladesh signed a new visa agreement aimed at meeting the visa requirements for business, studies, medical treatment, tourism, pilgrimage and other purposes.

Around 2003, it became possible to download the visa application from the high commission's web site.

In December 2005, India opened a separate visa application centre to outsource a part of the rush.

The visa remains free (gratis), but there is a visa processing fee of Taka 200 ($3 approximately). It is collected by the State Bank of India. The firm gets Taka 174 per application, while the rest is paid as service tax to the Bangladesh government.

Veterans of the visa process say the 'serpentine queues' have come down in recent years, but the arrangement is not fully able to deal with the rush.

Among the suggestions Indian High Commission has made in its clarification issued last week was that Bangladeshis ought to plan their visits.

They resort to 'touts and brokers', Chakravarty alleged, to tide over the time taken in processing.

An Indian official who has dealt with this issue in the past, speaking on condition of anonymity, strongly recommended the use of modern technology and management and above all a better understanding between Dhaka and New Delhi.