Consequently, local people, who had a long-cherished dream that their life would be upgraded after the set of the port, are frustrated after finding no progress in the development scheme.
They said if a land port was set at Pragpur of the district, communication between Dhaka and Kolkata would be easier and faster, as the distance between Dhaka and Kolkata through Pragpur is only 250 kilometres, 100 kilometres less than Benapole land port, the largest land port of the country.
Along with this, the land port will also help eroson-affected locals to get jobs.
On October 1, 2011, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan visited Kushtia and talked with local administration about the possibility of opening a land port at Pragpur.
Following his visit, Mofidul Islam, the then deputy secretary of Shipping Ministry visited the area on October 25 over the matter.
Following the reports of the deputy secretary, the government took a decision to establish six more land ports across the country, including the Pragpur, in 2012.
Raju Ahmed, a school teacher of Pragpur area, said: “A land port is very much essential in Pragpur area to boost trade between Bangladesh and India. It will also help to check smuggling.”
Citing about the importance of land port in the district, Kushtia district Awami League General Secretary Asgar Ali said: “Pragpur land port will help to develop the live standard of locals. It will also make communication between Dhaka and Kolkata more easier and faster than Benapole land port. It will also help businessman to carry their goods with low cost than Benapole.”
Ashrafuzzaman Mukul, chairman of Pragpur union, said: “Local people have been waiting for a land port in the area for a long time though the opening of the land port is still a day dream to them.”
President of Kushtia Chamber of Commerce Robiul Islam said: “Local people have long been demanding opening of land port at Pragpur area and also the local members of parliament (MPs) also raised the demand which the government has taken into consideration.”
Besides, Indian authorities have also very much interested about opening of a land port at Pragpur area and they met with Bangladeshi counterpart in this regard.
Rezaul Haque Chowdhury, MP of Kushtia-1 constituency said: “We already discussed the matter with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the regard and requested her to take measure to set up a port here as soon as possible.”
Thursday, April 25, 2024
