2 control rooms at Ctg port for handling cargoes

"We opened the control rooms on Monday to work round the clock to help overcome any problem in the transportation of goods to and from this port, said the officials.

CPA Chairman Shahadat Hossain said the opening of the control rooms is a precautionary measure as carrying of goods by rail and road has become very risky.

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"Transportation of container by train suffered immense delay to reach Dhaka on Sunday as the railway tracks went under water near the capital, he added.

The chairman said if any problem arises in transporting and handling cargoes due to floods, the control rooms will monitor and take necessary steps in this regard.

CPA Secretary Forhad Hossain said the control rooms would also monitor the arrival and transportation of relief materials from abroad.

"The control rooms are ready to do the needful to ensure rapid discharge and transportation of relief goods from the port for the flood affected people," he added.

According to port officials, transportation of containers to inland container depot (ICD) in Dhaka has slowed down due to floods.

There are now over 13,000 containers at the port against its holding capacity of 12,000 creating space congestion, they added.

The officials have attributed the reason to heavy monsoon rains in Chittagong last week and floods in other parts of the country.

Chittagong port handles country's 80 percent import and export cargo, they added.