Most of the cranes and forklifts used for loading and unloading imported goods at Jessore's Benapole land port have long been rendered useless, causing delay in the clearance of goods.
Despite the urgent need for repairs, no initiatives have been taken to address the issue.
Under a five-year contract, Grade Bengal Enterprises, the contracted company, is responsible for handling heavy cargo at Benapole Port but it falls short of the necessary equipment.
Ideally, the port requires 15 cranes and 10 forklifts for efficient load-unloading of heavy goods. But, the contractor only possesses seven cranes and eight forklifts, with only one crane and one fork clip currently in operation.
In normal circumstances, the port handles approximately 700 truckloads of goods each day. However, due to the limited functioning of the equipment, this number has been reduced to less than half, impeding the timely clearance of goods. The slowdown in goods clearance is adversely affecting the production in factories and progress of development projects.
Traders have expressed frustration over the wastage of time caused by the outdated cranes and forklifts. Despite lodging repeated complaints with the port and contractor authorities, no remedial actions have been observed, they claimed.
Rahman, a truck driver who transports goods, said, “I am unable to deliver goods on time due to the broken cranes and forklfitsat the port.”
Azim Uddin Gazi, Secretary of the Benapole Truck Transport Owners Association, said complaints have been filed, but no solutions have been provided.
Aminul Haque, vice president of the Benapole Import-Export Association, said, “ Goods are loaded and unloaded from approximately 700 trucks at Benapole port daily, including around 300 trucks carrying heavy goods. Releasing these goods requires functioning cranes and forklifts Despite contributing a significant portion of revenue, the port's services are in poor condition.”
Meherullah, the port affairs secretary of the Benapole C&F Agent Association, said the increasing volume of electricity and railway project goods being imported through Benapole port.
“However, the number of cranes and forklifts available for handling these heavy goods falls short of the demand, resulting in wasted time and congestion at the port. Authorities have been informed to repair the inoperable cranes and forklifts, but no actions have been taken,” he said. Badsha Mia, the mechanic from Grade Bengal Enterprises, said that it is not currently feasible to repair the damaged cranes and forklifts due to the unavailability of urgent replacements.
“This disruption in the redemption of products has been reported to the authorities,” he said.
Sajedur Rahman, Secretary of the Benapole C&F Staff Association, said that crane and forklifts problems have persisted at the port for a year and have recently worsened.
“Currently, only 20 percent of heavy goods are being cleared from the port, resulting in Indian trucks facing fines of Tk 3,000 per day. Additionally, a daily port rent charge is levied on the approximately 150,000 metric tons of goods stored in the port yard,” he said.
Moazzem Hossain, the manager of the contracted company responsible for handling heavy goods, said the initial contract with the port entailed handling 50,000 metric tons of goods per month.
However, last month they had to handle 92,000 metric tons, causing excessive strain on the cranes and forklifts and leading to repeated malfunctions. The addition of extra cranes and forklifts is not possible unless the tender conditions are revised, he said.
Abdul Jalil, Acting Director of Benapole Land Port, assures that efforts are underway to coordinate with the contractor, with hopes of resolving the ongoing crisis at the earliest opportunity.
