A new cargo vehicle terminal in Benapole, Jessore, is set to be operational in October, promising to reduce traffic congestion and enhance revenue for the government.
The terminal, which will accommodate around 1,500 cargo trucks, aims to streamline the loading and unloading process at the busy land port.
With the help of the seamless road and rail connectivity between India and Bangladesh, trade through Benapole land port in Jessore has increased significantly in recent years, which also led to transportation challenges.
To address this, the government initiated a project for a cargo vehicle terminal in Benapole.
Benapole Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Rashedul Sajib Nazir said: "Construction work began in February 2022, after the acquisition of land. The project cost of building the terminal on approximately 24 acres is Tk329 crore, of which Tk109 crore went towards land acquisition and Tk220 crore for the construction."
Port officials said the terminal will have a capacity for 1,200 to 1,500 trucks. The project includes the development of a parking yard, cargo building, port service building, utility building, fire station, modern toilet complex, and Weybridge scale, among other infrastructure.
The terminal is described as modern and attractive, and once connected to the power grid, it will be fully operational. Its inauguration is expected to significantly alleviate congestion at the port and enhance efficiency.
Shamsur Rahman, president of the Benapole Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent Association, spoke positively about the project. "Once the terminal opens, long-standing issues of traffic and product jams will be reduced. With the capacity to hold 1,500 trucks, unloading will be faster. This means Indian trucks will unload goods more quickly, preventing extra costs for importers who otherwise face penalties for delays. The faster trucks are unloaded, the more revenue the government will generate."
Commenting on the terminal's construction quality, he added that the infrastructure is modern and up to standard. "Its inauguration will surely reduce congestion and ease the suffering of those using the port."
According to port sources, around 7,000 to 8,000 tons of goods are imported from India daily. Due to a lack of space, many products are currently left out in the open, while Indian trucks remain idle at the port, waiting to unload. Port users believe that the new terminal will address these issues.
Port Project Director and Supervising Engineer Hasan Ali said high standards were maintained during construction, with quality tests conducted by Buet, Kuet, and their own labs.
He expressed optimism that the electricity connection will be completed within a week, and the terminal will be inaugurated in October.
Hasan emphasized that the terminal's opening would not only expand the port's capacity but also increase revenue, facilitating smoother trade between Bangladesh and India.