It is a matter of concern that shortage of cargo trains is causing delay in transporting containers loaded with imported goods from the Chattogram Port, the country’s main gateway for export-import activities. Such picture of the country’s main sea port makes us worried. A vital maritime hub of the country, Chattogram port handles majority of sea trade and so, it is very natural that any disruption of port operations will affect the economy, thus putting resultant impact on the people.
A news item headlined ‘Ctg Port faces severe container congestion: Shortage of cargo trains blamed’ was published in the Bangladesh Post on Tuesday. Sources at the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) said they are struggling to transport containers loaded with imported goods in time due to shortage of cargo trains.
“Shortage of cargo trains is making for us difficult to transport containers to Inland Container Depot at Kamalapur in Dhaka,” a port official said adding that the CPA needs 4-5 cargo trains every day for timely transportation of containers, but we are getting only one.
According to sources concerned, there were more than 2,000 containers piled up at the Chattogram sea port as of July 23, but the situation has somewhat improved by this time as a good many of them have already been transported to Dhaka.
The CPA has recently written to the authorities concerned asking for more locomotives and wagons, so tha at least 200 containers can be transported every day to prevent any container congestion at the port.
The letter signed by Chattogram port secretary Md Omar Faruk said that the number of containers bound for ICD, Kamlapur has increased at the port yard, and to address the problem, 4-5 cargo trains should run daily to transport containers loaded with imported goods.
‘We are trying to solve the problem by maintaining constant contact with the railway authorities,” Omar Faruk said.
“Earlier, I wrote several letters to the railway authorities informing them of the situation. I requested them to operate 4-5 cargo trains every day for smooth transportation of containers to Dhaka,” he added.
According to sources, about 10,000 containers are awaiting auction at the port yard and they have occupied a large space at the port yard which also stands in the way of timely transportation of containers.
Container transport by railway between Chattogram Port and and ICD, Kamlapur started in 1987. But even after 38 years, container transport to Dhaka from the major sea port still remains below 3 percent.
We should keep in mind that traders and importers are seriously affected for delay in unloading imported goods from containers, which affect the market ultimately causing people to suffer.
Taking into account the interest of the country’s economy and business, we think the government will do everything necessary for the smooth functioning of the Chattogram Port.
