SYLHET, Jan 15: The government has a plan to take up a major infrastructure project for the development of 13 land customs stations, an air freight depot and offices of the customs and VAT department in Sylhet region.
The detailed programme for the project would be worked out very soon as the finance ministry has already approved the land acquisition proposal to this end, officials concerned said.
Commissioner of the Customs, Excise & VAT Md Shafiqul Islam told the FE on Sunday that the customs establishments in Sylhet had long been in a pitiable condition.
"Trade and commerce in the greater Sylhet region would get a boost with the expansion of border business and trade opportunities with the Indian states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam. So, we need to develop the land customs stations and other establishments to provide better service," he said.
Recently, Tamabil land port on the Sylhet-Meghalaya border had been developed on 25.35 acres of land. It was formally inaugurated two months ago.
Twelve other customs stations which will be developed are in Sheola (on 10.21 acres) and Zakiganj (1.94 acres) in Sylhet, Chatlapore (9.28 acres) in Moulvibazar, Barchhara (11.2 acres), Charagaon (10.33 acres), Bagli (10.83 acres), Chela (49.69 acres), Ichhamoti (40.4 acres) and Chhatak in Sunamganj and Bulla (5.77 acres) in Habiganj.
Besides, a new customs station would be set up at Dolura border in Sunamganj on 10 acres of land.
On the other hand, acquisition of land has been approved for VAT offices in Sylhet city, Mulvibazar and Habiganj district town. Approval for acquisition of land was also given for air freight unit at Sylhet Osmani International Airport.
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