CHATTOGRAM, Feb 12: The trade and business of commercial hub Chattogram is suffering a lot, as the local businesses cannot supply the imported goods to other parts of the country smoothly due to the restriction at the weighing scale at Boro Darogahat on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
Earlier, the goods-carrying vehicles could ferry 20-30 tonnes of goods on the highway. But, traders said, there was a restriction imposed on carrying more than 13 tonnes of goods, increasing the transport cost which leaves an impact on the consumer market.
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Mahbubul Alam told the FE, "It is very unfortunate that the government is controlling the trade and business of Chattogram by setting up the weighing scale (Load Control Station) on Dhaka-Chattogram highway."
"Around 60 per cent to 65 per cent cargoes are unloading in Narayanganj - not in Chattogram - due to the weighing scale on the highway."
"The traders of other districts can carry 20 tonnes of goods by their trucks or lorries, while Chattogram traders can carry only 13 tonnes - this is a clear discrimination," clarified the CCCI president.
There had already been a weighing scale on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Daudkandi in Cumilla. However, another weighing scale was set up at Boro Darogahat in Sitakund on the highway in June 2018.
CCCI president demanded that the government remove all weighing scales on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, or set up scales on all the highways across the country to eradicate the discrimination.
Abul Bashar Chowdhury, chairman of BSM Group, said the Chattogram businessmen were suffering a lot for the weighing scale on the highway.
Echoing CCCI president, Bashar also demanded that the government withdraw both the weighing scales from Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
Sagir Ahmed, former general secretary of the Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, said Chattogram traders are facing discrimination compared to other areas of the country due to the weighing scales, resulting in huge losses for them.
There has to be a same system for all 22 highways of the country - not for Dhaka-Chattogram highway only, he added.
Sufiur Rahman, organising secretary of the Inter-District Truck and Covered Van Owners' Association, pointed out that there was even an inconsistency in weight at the two weighing scales at Boro Darogahat and Daudkandi.
Nurul Absar, convener of the Inter-district Goods Transportation Association, said: "The scale was set up here (Boro Darogahat) to harass the people of Chattogram and to destroy the port."
"Around Tk 0.1 million is being collected as extortion every day from the goods-laden vehicles on the highway, and part of the money is pocketed by some unscrupulous police officers and leaders," he claimed.
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