CHATTOGRAM, March 14: The transportation of goods by the waterway, through most important commercial hubs at Chaktai and Khatungonj, is being hampered as all the 24 ghats of Chaktai Khal (Chatkai canal) have been inoperative day after day.
The importers cannot unload goods at the ghats causing the increase of transportation expenditure.
In the past, there were more than 24 ghats at the banks of Chaktai canal which were used for unloading of goods by waterway from the Karnaphuli river by boats. The each swadagor or trader used to pay Tk 20,000 per month for unloading their all goods at the ghats. The ghats were situated at the very near to the go-downs at Chaktai and Khatungonj. As a result, the goods could be unloaded from boats at minimum costs.
The ghats have been inoperative during the last few years due to rampant pollution of water of canal, lack of dredging, illegal occupying of banks of the canal by the influential quarters.
There were two dozens of ghats including Badshah Mear Ghat, Wahid Ali Majhir Ghat, Ochi Mear Ghat, Pacca Pole Ghat, Lathir Pole Ghat, Meghna Mill Ghat and Fultola Ghat where the cargoes from different areas including Shandwip, Noakhali, Cumilla and Chandpur were loaded and unloaded for carrying. But, now the carrying of cargoes by waterway has almost stopped.
Only two ghats situated at the river mouth are now functioning while rest of the ghats situated at the commercial areas are not operative.
The East Ghat is being operated by Fishery Ghat while the West Ghat is under control of Chattogram City Corporation. The two ghats are taking Tk 20,000 per month from each trader for unloading their goods at the river-mouth while earlier the cost of unloading was only Tk 2,000 per month.
The traders and wholesalers at Chaktai and Khatungonj informed the FE that most of the cargoes are being carried by roads now.
General Secretary of Khatungonj Trade and Industries Association Sayed Sagir Ahamed said, "At one time, the Chaktai canal waterway was the prime route for transportation of cargoes and goods at Khatungonj and Chaktai. But, almost all the ghats of the Chaktai canal have been closed, and we are carrying our cargoes by road. As a result, cost of transportation has increased."
"If the authorities dredge the Chaktai canal and evict the illegal establishments from banks of the canal and recover the land of canal from illegal occupiers and take proper step to make the Chaktai canal navigational, the transportation of cargoes through waterway will start again. As a result, cost of transportation of essentials will be lower than now," he added.
Abul Bashar Chowdhury, chairman of BSM Group, one of the biggest importers of essentials in Bangladesh said, "If the authorities can take step to set up the ghats at the Chaktai canal, the transportation of cargoes and essentials will be easier and costs will be decreased. Moreover, the pressure on roads and traffic will be decreased if we can start the waterway again."
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