CHITTAGONG, February 10: The ongoing non-stop hartal-blockade has left the communications system across the country in a complete mess by causing severe transport disruption on long-distance routes and triggering substantial loss to the sector.
Sales of the consumer goods-importing firms and wholesale markets declined sharply during the last one month, compared to the previous month, as the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance enforced the indefinite blockade from January 6.
A leading importer of consumer goods at Khatungonj in the port-city recorded sales worth Tk 40 million in the last 20 days of January,
compared to sales worth Tk 60 million in the first seven days of the same month.
Only 50 per cent cargo-laden trucks and covered vans are now operating under special protection of the law-enforcers, but sufferers said the measure is inadequate and unsustainable to an enduring problem. The hartal-blockade has substantially cut off raw material supply lines to manufacturing units as well, resulting disruption in the production sector.
The message from the country's prime seaport, however, is not that much discouraging, according to port officials. Director (Traffic) of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Golam Sarwar said loading, unloading and delivery activities in the port are going on normally.
The trade body leaders said the aggregate loss of all affected sectors throughout the country from January first week till today amounts to as high as Tk 750 billion. Export, import, SME, production, cargo and passenger transportation are the worst losers in the month-long blockade-hartal.
Since January 6, the country's economy has been shattered due to hartal, blockade, vandalizing cargo-laden vehicles and arson on transports.
pankajdastider@gmail.com
Non-stop hartal-blockade cripples transport sector
Pankaj Dastider | Published: February 11, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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