CHATTOGRAM, June 23: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) started operation of a lighterage jetty on Tuesday six years after it was inaugurated in the port city's Sadarghat area.
A couple of ships, loaded with containers, cast anchor at the jetty in the morning on an experimental basis.
CPA officials said four other such jetties, constructed in different areas of the sea port in 2013, are now getting ready to go into full-fledged operation.
They said the CPA, in association with Bangladesh Navy, has accelerated dredging of Karnaphuli for increasing the draft of the river aiming to make the five lighterage jetties useable.
Draft determines the minimum depth of water a ship or boat can safely navigate.
After berthing, the two ships, MV Nou Kollyan-1 and MV Nou Kollyan-2 - each having four metres draft - were unloading containers at the Sadarghat jetty till filing of this report on Tuesday afternoon.
CPA's pilots smoothly brought the two lighter vessels to Sadarghat jetty after loading containers from large ships at Outer Anchorage, according to hydrographic department of the port authority.
The CPA in collaboration with Navy have so far removed 1.0 million cft garbage through dredging of Karnaphuli to facilitate safe and smooth navigation of ships with four-metre draft in that part of the river.
"Today's berthing is experimental. We hope that we can start the regular operation of the Sadarghat lighterage jetty very soon as draft of the river has already been increased through dredging," a CPA official said.
"The pilots took the ships to the jetty to check the draft and possibility for regular use of the jetty," he said.
Construction of the Sadarghat jetty was completed at the end of 2013. But, CPA could not use the jetty as the bottom of Karnaphuli was filled with garbage, including plastic waste, used iron, bamboo, wood and other disposable items.
Earlier, the capital dredging had hit snag following objections and criticism by some quarters last year. Bangladesh Navy started the dredging under a project styled, capital dredging of Karnaphuli.
Secretary of CPA Md Omar Faruk said, "We have completed the lease agreement for the five jetties, including the Sadarghat lighterage jetty.
"The CPA has completed preliminary test of berthing of lighterage vessels at the jetties. We will go for the final test soon. After successful completion of final tests, the jetties will be handed over to their lease-holders," he said.
He also said that carrying of goods from Chattogram to Pangaon will be easier and smoother after the five jetties go into regular operation. It will make total operational activities of Chittagong Port quicker, he added.
The CPA separately signed lease agreement for the five jetties, including a 400-metre area of Sadarghat, with three organisations - BSRM, KSRM and Abul Khaier Group. But the lease-holders could not use the jetties as the draft of river was less than four meters.
When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KSRM Meherul Karim told the FE that they have taken lease of two jetties for 10 years from the CPA.
"We have got two jetties for operation for 10 years after participating in tender. But the CPA is yet to hand over the jetties to us for regular operation. After the handover, we will start operation by completing other necessary formalities," he added.
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