The C&B river port in Faridpur is beset with various problems including lack of maintenance and extensive damage caused by riverbank erosion, which port insiders say are “impacting it negatively.”
Although a revenue income of Tk5m in the current fiscal year may suggest otherwise, there has been little development of the port’s infrastructure and service standards in recent years, reports UNB.
Businessmen are increasingly losing interest in what was once a highly-regarded and busy river port because of its present state. Most of their problems are related to shipment and transportation.
During a visit to the port, tonnes of rice, jute, onion and other agricultural produces were seen being shipped to different districts through the port. There were cements from Narayanganj, coal and sand from Sylhet and fertilisers from Chittagong.
Sources said, the port would do well with three more pontoons to transport goods and more depots to store them.
Mahfuz, master of a cargo that brought government-owned fertilisers from Chittagong, said he could not unload the fertilisers even after ten days of wait because of these problems.
The portside shore is also not suitable for the passage of a ship or cargo, he added. “The port authorities should take initiatives to improve the navigability of the river.”
Oliur Rahman, who brought cement from Narayanganj, said he had been in the port area for the last four days and could not yet unload because of shortage of pontoons.
Port cashier Abdur Razzak said there was not sufficient space in the river port to store goods. In addition, roads connecting the port were in poor condition.
“Drivers often complain about the roads being too muddy or bumpy for their vehicles, especially during the monsoon,” he added.
Jalil sheikh, who took lease of the port, said they had to struggle to transport goods through the port because of various problems.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Faridpur Moinuddin Ahmad said the higher authorities would be informed of the situation very soon.
