Lighterage jetty opens at Ctg port today

CHATTOGRAM, July 07: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) will formally start today the operation of one out of the total four lighterage jetties made in 2013.
The CPA leased the jetties to private companies KSRM, BSRM, AKS and Ruby Food. Of them, the KSRM-managed jetty number 04 at Sadarghat will go into operation.
On Wednesday, KSRM chief executive officer Meherul Karim said, "We got a letter to start the operation of the lighterage jetty at 10:00 am tomorrow (Thursday)."
According to sources, the CPA continues to dredge the Karnaphuli to increase its draft with the aid of Bangladesh Navy to make lighterage jetties useable.
Meanwhile, the Sadarghat jetty started its experimental operation last year. Two ships berthed at the jetty on Wednesday morning tentatively.
The construction of the jetty was completed at the end of 2013. But the CPA could not use it as the bottom of Karnaphuli was filled with garbage.
As capital dredging was stopped for some criticality, the CPA has since failed to make the jetty useable.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Navy dredged the river under a capital dredging project and removed an estimated 1.0-million tonnes of garbage to increase its draft.
CPA secretary Md Omar Faruk said, "We've struck the lease agreements of five jetties at Sadarghat, including the Sadarghat lighterage jetty."
"The CPA has completed primary ship-berthing test at the jetties. The final test will be done soon. Later, we'll hand over the jetties to the lessees for use."
After starting operation of the jetties, Mr Faruk said, goods carriage from Chattogram to Pangaon would be easier and smoother than now.
"The jetties will help our total operational activities of Chattogram port," he cited.
The CPA gave lease of five jetties at 400-metre area of Sadarghat to separate organisations. But the lessees could not use the jetties as the draft of the river was less than four metres.

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