Land ports getting ready for handling cargoes in regional trade
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Syful Islam
Country's land ports are getting ready for handling goods-laden transports for Bangladesh's joining in the regional connectivity initiatives, officials said Friday. Massive development works are being carried out there following directives from the prime minister's office (PMO), they added. "Currently development activities are going on in Benapole and Bhomra land ports. Development project proposals for the Ramgarh, Tegamukh, Nokugaon and Haluaghat are waiting for government's nod," Member (Development) of Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) Delwar Hosen told the FE. "There is lack of funds and that is why the development activities are going on at a slow pace. But rest of the land ports will see massive development activities in phases since there is decision to join in the regional connectivity initiative," he added. Sources said of the total 17 land ports, the BLPA runs 11 and the rest are being operated by private operators. Recently the PMO has asked the BLPA authority to increase the facilities of the land ports through development activities so that Bangladesh can join in the regional connectivity scheme. Taka 400 million development works are being carried out in the Benapole port while development project proposals of Tk 400 million each for Ramgarh, Tegamukh and Haluaghat ports and Tk 150 million proposal for Nokugaon port are waiting for government's approval. Sources said the BLPA has raised the number of sheds in Beanpole to 41, from 25 in 2005. Besides, since 2002 the Authority has established sheds and transhipment yard, leased lands for expansion of the port, and constructed bypass road up to zero line. It has also prepared a plan to construct a terminal of international standard in the country's largest land port. The Benapole port accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the country's total trade with India through land ports. The land port handles the highest export-import volume after the Chittagong port. Under the development activities transhipment yards are under construction at Benapole, Sonamasjid, Bibirbazar, Akhaura, Tamabil, Koroitola, Gogragura, Nokugaon, Ramgarh, Tegamukh and Birol land ports, measuring 2,000-5,000 square feet. Besides warehouses, cold storages, customs godown and bypass road up to zero line are under construction in many land ports. BLPA Chairman A K M Yahea Chowdhury told the FE Friday that they were carrying out development activities in different ports to raise their capacity and efficiency. He, however, said these works would be helpful for regional connectivity and smooth handling of transport.
Country's land ports are getting ready for handling goods-laden transports for Bangladesh's joining in the regional connectivity initiatives, officials said Friday. Massive development works are being carried out there following directives from the prime minister's office (PMO), they added. "Currently development activities are going on in Benapole and Bhomra land ports. Development project proposals for the Ramgarh, Tegamukh, Nokugaon and Haluaghat are waiting for government's nod," Member (Development) of Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) Delwar Hosen told the FE. "There is lack of funds and that is why the development activities are going on at a slow pace. But rest of the land ports will see massive development activities in phases since there is decision to join in the regional connectivity initiative," he added. Sources said of the total 17 land ports, the BLPA runs 11 and the rest are being operated by private operators. Recently the PMO has asked the BLPA authority to increase the facilities of the land ports through development activities so that Bangladesh can join in the regional connectivity scheme. Taka 400 million development works are being carried out in the Benapole port while development project proposals of Tk 400 million each for Ramgarh, Tegamukh and Haluaghat ports and Tk 150 million proposal for Nokugaon port are waiting for government's approval. Sources said the BLPA has raised the number of sheds in Beanpole to 41, from 25 in 2005. Besides, since 2002 the Authority has established sheds and transhipment yard, leased lands for expansion of the port, and constructed bypass road up to zero line. It has also prepared a plan to construct a terminal of international standard in the country's largest land port. The Benapole port accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the country's total trade with India through land ports. The land port handles the highest export-import volume after the Chittagong port. Under the development activities transhipment yards are under construction at Benapole, Sonamasjid, Bibirbazar, Akhaura, Tamabil, Koroitola, Gogragura, Nokugaon, Ramgarh, Tegamukh and Birol land ports, measuring 2,000-5,000 square feet. Besides warehouses, cold storages, customs godown and bypass road up to zero line are under construction in many land ports. BLPA Chairman A K M Yahea Chowdhury told the FE Friday that they were carrying out development activities in different ports to raise their capacity and efficiency. He, however, said these works would be helpful for regional connectivity and smooth handling of transport.