Ctg port channel in a deplorable state
Friday, 4 January 2008
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Jan 03: Due to non-compliance of rules and regulations in connection with controlling the course of river Karnaphuli and extraction of sand from the river, building of different establishments occupying the river, lack of dredging facilities and other related problems, Chittagong Port (CP) channel has fallen into a deplorable state gradually.
For ensuring controlled flow of the river Karnaphuli and preserving its navigability, different committees of experts submitted a number of reports on different occasions but no positive step was taken in time, concerned sources said.
Despite spending millions of taka bypassing the recommendations of the concerned committees, the overall condition of the port channel as well as its navigability is in dire straits, the sources said.
It has become urgent to take necessary steps in view of the prevailing situation.
Chittagong Port is the gateway for export-import trade of the country and the river Karnaphuli is the life blood of her economic activities. Overall activities of Chittagong port are also dependent on this river. So long as the navigability of the river Karnophuli exists, CP would remain operative.
With the losing of navigability, like other dead ports of the world, the CP would also face the same fate.
According to the concerned sources, vessels of 8.5 metres in draft are capable of anchoring at CP. If the navigability declines to 6 metres then it would become impossible for anchoring of vessels here.
CHITTAGONG, Jan 03: Due to non-compliance of rules and regulations in connection with controlling the course of river Karnaphuli and extraction of sand from the river, building of different establishments occupying the river, lack of dredging facilities and other related problems, Chittagong Port (CP) channel has fallen into a deplorable state gradually.
For ensuring controlled flow of the river Karnaphuli and preserving its navigability, different committees of experts submitted a number of reports on different occasions but no positive step was taken in time, concerned sources said.
Despite spending millions of taka bypassing the recommendations of the concerned committees, the overall condition of the port channel as well as its navigability is in dire straits, the sources said.
It has become urgent to take necessary steps in view of the prevailing situation.
Chittagong Port is the gateway for export-import trade of the country and the river Karnaphuli is the life blood of her economic activities. Overall activities of Chittagong port are also dependent on this river. So long as the navigability of the river Karnophuli exists, CP would remain operative.
With the losing of navigability, like other dead ports of the world, the CP would also face the same fate.
According to the concerned sources, vessels of 8.5 metres in draft are capable of anchoring at CP. If the navigability declines to 6 metres then it would become impossible for anchoring of vessels here.