The government has officially declared Sariakandi and Dhunat in Bogra as inland river ports, aiming to strengthen waterway connectivity and boost trade in the Jamuna River basin.
The Ministry of Shipping issued a gazette notification under the Port Act, 1908, designating the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) as the custodian of both ports and defining their operational boundaries.
According to the notification, the Sariakandi River Port will cover a stretch of the Jamuna River from Kalitala Ghat to Mathurapara Ghat on the western bank, with corresponding areas on the eastern bank also included. The port will encompass the gazetted ghats of Dighapara, Kalitala, Mathurapara (Debdanga), Jamthal and Sonpacha.
The Dhunat River Port will be centred at Shohrabari Ghat, extending from the Madhurapara Ghat area in Sariakandi to the Jamuna River near Tekuria Hat in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj and Baisakhir Char in Dhunat.
BIWTA will oversee the development of the ports, including the construction of jetties, expansion of passenger services and other supporting infrastructure.
Sariakandi UNO Sumaiya Ferdous and Dhunat UNO Arif Ullah Nizamee confirmed receiving the gazette notification, adding that BIWTA has yet to announce when the ports will become operational.
