Govt plans to build river ports to boost regional trade

The government has decided to construct a river port at Nagarbari with full-fledged facilities at a cost of Tk. 513.90 crore to enhance regional trade and connectivity.

Shipping minister Shajahan Khan will lay the foundation stone for the port on Friday.

Besides, the government will also install modern equipment to overhaul 29 river ports and dredge them to enhance national and international connectivity.

As part of the initiative, at a total cost of Tk 1,000 crore.The objective behind developing these river ports

was to connect the major sea ports of Chittagong, Mongla and Payra to boost regional connectivity, sources said.

“There is huge potential for cargo movement at Nagarbari. Fertilizer, cement, stone, sand, coal, food grain and other materials are being loaded and unloaded at Nagarbari without any port facility. Considering the fact that Nagarbari is a hub of traders to transport their goods to north Bengal through waterways, the government has decided to construct a modern river port there,” BIWTA chairman Commodore M Mozammel Huq told The Independent yesterday.

Earlier, Nagarbari was a ferry terminal. But it was later shifted to another place due to erosion.

“At least eight ships can be unloaded and loaded at a time at Nagarbari river port after its construction, hopefully by June 2021. Besides, warehouse, customs, immigration and other important offices and buildings will be constructed. It will be a well-equipped modern river port,” the BIWTA chairman said, adding that road connectivity with the port will also be developed.

“We have taken up an initiative to enhance regional connectivity among Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and other international ports through developing river ports in the country,” he said.

An inter-ministerial meeting has approved the proposal to build the Chilamari river port at Ramna ghat on the banks of Brahmaputra in Kurigram district, he said.

As much as Tk. 328 crore would be needed to construct the Chilmari river Port, Tk. 513.90 crore for the Nagarbari river port and around Tk. 350 crore for the Baghabari river port, he added.

Modern shades, jetties, pontoons and other equipment will also be installed at the river ports, he said.

Huq also said that all the rivers connected to the ports would be dredged to ensure navigability throughout the year. “We hope we’ll be able to submit all the proposals to the government within a few months to build these river ports,” he added.

Once the projects are implemented, it would help boost the country’s economy and expand the scope of trade, he observed.

 

Govt plans to build river ports to boost regional trade

The government has decided to construct a river port at Nagarbari with full-fledged facilities at a cost of Tk. 513.90 crore to enhance regional trade and connectivity. Shipping minister Shajahan Khan will lay the foundation stone for the port on Friday. Besides, the government will also install modern equipment to overhaul 29 river ports and dredge them to enhance national and international connectivity. As part of the initiative, at a total cost of Tk 1,000 crore.The objective behind developing these river ports was to connect the major sea ports of Chittagong, Mongla and Payra to boost regional connectivity, sources said. There is huge potential for cargo movement at Nagarbari. Fertilizer, cement, stone, sand, coal, food grain and other materials are being loaded and unloaded at Nagarbari without any port facility. Considering the fact that Nagarbari is a hub of traders to transport their goods to north Bengal through waterways, the government has decided to construct a modern river port there, BIWTA chairman Commodore M Mozammel Huq told The Independent yesterday. Earlier, Nagarbari was a ferry terminal. But it was later shifted to another place due to erosion. At least eight ships can be unloaded and loaded at a time at Nagarbari river port after its construction, hopefully by June 2021. Besides, warehouse, customs, immigration and other important offices and buildings will be constructed. It will be a well-equipped modern river port, the BIWTA chairman said, adding that road connectivity with the port will also be developed. We have taken up an initiative to enhance regional connectivity among Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and other international ports through developing river ports in the country, he said. An inter-ministerial meeting has approved the proposal to build the Chilamari river port at Ramna ghat on the banks of Brahmaputra in Kurigram district, he said. As much as Tk. 328 crore would be needed to construct the Chilmari river Port, Tk. 513.90 crore for the Nagarbari river port and around Tk. 350 crore for the Baghabari river port, he added. Modern shades, jetties, pontoons and other equipment will also be installed at the river ports, he said. Huq also said that all the rivers connected to the ports would be dredged to ensure navigability throughout the year. We hope well be able to submit all the proposals to the government within a few months to build these river ports, he added. Once the projects are implemented, it would help boost the countrys economy and expand the scope of trade, he observed.