Sajedur Rahman, Member (Planning and Operations) of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Joint Secretary, on Friday inspected the Sultanganj river port in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi and expressed optimism about its early opening. BIWTA Director A.K.M. Arif Uddin accompanied him during the visit.
During the inspection, the BIWTA member visited the port office, cargo unloading facilities and the river channel to assess the overall condition and operational readiness of the port.
Speaking after the visit, Sajedur Rahman said all necessary conditions for opening the river port had already been met and key infrastructure was in place.
“There are certain conditions required to open a river port. All those conditions have been fulfilled. A well-equipped office has also been built here. I will inform the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and recommend that the port be opened as soon as possible,” he said.
BIWTA Director Arif Uddin also said the required facilities were already available at the port and authorities were now awaiting final approval from the NBR.
“All kinds of facilities are available here. We are now waiting for the final approval from the NBR. Hopefully, it will come very soon,” he said.
Local stone importer Aminul Islam said entrepreneurs had developed essential facilities at the port on their own initiative, and cargo vessels had already begun arriving.
He noted that large volumes of stone are currently imported from India via road and rail at higher costs, while river transport could significantly reduce expenses.
“If we can bring stone by river, the cost will be much lower. This river route will also play a major role in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy,” he said.
According to him, cargo vessels carrying 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes can operate during the monsoon season, while 700 to 800-tonne vessels can navigate the route in the dry season.
The Sultanganj–Dhulian river route between Bangladesh and India was once a busy trade corridor. However, it was closed in 1965 following the Indo-Pak war and subsequent geopolitical changes.
Officials said the distance between Sultanganj river port in Godagari and Maya river port in Murshidabad, India, is only about 18 kilometres.
If reopened, the route could facilitate the import of cement raw materials, stone, marble, mineral sand and food products from India, while enabling exports of textiles, fish, jute, jute goods and agricultural products from Bangladesh.
Business leaders believe the revival of this river route would significantly reduce transport costs and time compared to existing road and rail trade through land ports, boosting bilateral trade and the national economy.