Ctg-Khatunganj wholesale market

Heavy downpour takes toll on business

Daily turnover came down to Tk 300cr from Tk 1200-1500cr

The incessant heavy downpour for the past couple of days is taking its toll on the business of Chaktai-Khatunganj market, one of the largest wholesale markets in the country.  
The wholesalers said that the transaction in the wholesale market has plummeted to a staggering 20 per cent due to water congestion caused by incessant heavy shower and Eid vacation.  
According to Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, the daily turnover in the wholesale market stands at Tk 1200-1500 crore. However, the daily transaction has now come down to Tk 300 crore putting a dent on the business activities of the market.     
As per the association, there are about three thousand businesses in the wholesale market and 15 thousand porters are directly associated with the market.   
“On an average I earn Tk 500-600 pushing carts laden with goods in the wholesale market. But now my daily income has come down to Tk 100-150,” said Shahabuddin, a porter.  
Meanwhile, the commercial banks at Chaktai-Khatunganj wholesale market are also witnessing a slump in transaction compared to a normal banking day.
“The recent heavy downpour triggered water congestion disrupted the supply chain of consumer goods from Khatunganj to other parts of the country. The trucks laden with consumer goods cannot enter the wholesale market,” said Md Jamal Hossain, organising secretary of Khatunganj Trade and Industry association.
“There are about 350 rice warehouses in Chaktai-Khatunganj market. The consumer commodity at the warehouses might get damaged due to persistent water-logging,” feared Jamal.
“We are busy taking care of their goods instead of selling and buying. The porters are facing hard times due to the suspension of loading and unloading job in the wholesale market,” said Mohammad Lokman, manager Hazi Khuillya Mia Traders.
According to Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, a number of reasons are responsible for water logging in Chaktai-Khatunganj wholesale market. The reasons include silt deposition in River Karnaphuli, Chaktai canal becoming choked with solid waste and filth, illegal grabbing of canals, absence of excavation and dredging on a regular basis.
“This is not a distant past when boats laden with goods used to be shipped through Chaktai canal. We used to transport our goods to Sanwip, Hatiya and Noakhali through the canal which is linked with Karnaphuli River. However, it is a matter of great regret that the canal is not fit for shipping goods. The goods transportation through the canal has now come down to 20 percent,” said Jamal who is also general secretary of Chaktai Shilpo O Bebosayee Samity.  
While talking to Independent, Syed Sagir Ahmed, general secretary of Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, said: “Every year we have to incur huge losses due to water congestion. We want to get rid of the chronic water logging problem. The government should put especial emphasis on Chaktai- Khatunganj since it is a commercial hub of the country. Chaktai canal which turned out to be sorrow of Chittagong should be dredged and excavated on a regular basis.” 

Ctg-Khatunganj wholesale market

Heavy downpour takes toll on business

Daily turnover came down to Tk 300cr from Tk 1200-1500cr

The incessant heavy downpour for the past couple of days is taking its toll on the business of Chaktai-Khatunganj market, one of the largest wholesale markets in the country. The wholesalers said that the transaction in the wholesale market has plummeted to a staggering 20 per cent due to water congestion caused by incessant heavy shower and Eid vacation. According to Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, the daily turnover in the wholesale market stands at Tk 1200-1500 crore. However, the daily transaction has now come down to Tk 300 crore putting a dent on the business activities of the market. As per the association, there are about three thousand businesses in the wholesale market and 15 thousand porters are directly associated with the market. On an average I earn Tk 500-600 pushing carts laden with goods in the wholesale market. But now my daily income has come down to Tk 100-150, said Shahabuddin, a porter. Meanwhile, the commercial banks at Chaktai-Khatunganj wholesale market are also witnessing a slump in transaction compared to a normal banking day. The recent heavy downpour triggered water congestion disrupted the supply chain of consumer goods from Khatunganj to other parts of the country. The trucks laden with consumer goods cannot enter the wholesale market, said Md Jamal Hossain, organising secretary of Khatunganj Trade and Industry association. There are about 350 rice warehouses in Chaktai-Khatunganj market. The consumer commodity at the warehouses might get damaged due to persistent water-logging, feared Jamal. We are busy taking care of their goods instead of selling and buying. The porters are facing hard times due to the suspension of loading and unloading job in the wholesale market, said Mohammad Lokman, manager Hazi Khuillya Mia Traders. According to Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, a number of reasons are responsible for water logging in Chaktai-Khatunganj wholesale market. The reasons include silt deposition in River Karnaphuli, Chaktai canal becoming choked with solid waste and filth, illegal grabbing of canals, absence of excavation and dredging on a regular basis. This is not a distant past when boats laden with goods used to be shipped through Chaktai canal. We used to transport our goods to Sanwip, Hatiya and Noakhali through the canal which is linked with Karnaphuli River. However, it is a matter of great regret that the canal is not fit for shipping goods. The goods transportation through the canal has now come down to 20 percent, said Jamal who is also general secretary of Chaktai Shilpo O Bebosayee Samity. While talking to Independent, Syed Sagir Ahmed, general secretary of Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, said: Every year we have to incur huge losses due to water congestion. We want to get rid of the chronic water logging problem. The government should put especial emphasis on Chaktai- Khatunganj since it is a commercial hub of the country. Chaktai canal which turned out to be sorrow of Chittagong should be dredged and excavated on a regular basis.