Steps taken to make Mongla port active
Government has taken up various measures to make Mongla port, which has been incurring losses for a long time, active and vibrant, port sources and officials said.
The second largest seaport of the country is facing crisis as the number of ships using the port has been deceasing day by day.
Port sources said the port incurred Tk 50.33 crore loss in the last four years.
Although several criminal groups were identified during the tenure of the last alliance government and accused of hatching conspiracy to disrupt normal activities of the port, no action has so far been taken against them.
Mongla Port Authority chairman Commodore M Faruq told the news agency that charges for goods unloading have been reduced to Tk 30 from 65.
Besides, initiatives have been taken for dredging the river to ease vessel movement. Government has given yearly allocation of Tk 10 crore for dredging, he said.
He also said that a project of Tk 100 crore for capital dredging is awaiting approval.
The expense of goods unloading has come down as stevedores are now in a position to recruit workers as per their requirement following the abolition of dock workers management board.
In fiscal 2005-06, more than 130 ships anchored in the port followed by 110 ships in 2006-07, 95 ships in 2007-08, and 151 in 2008-09.
The port incurred loss of Tk 11.09 crore in fiscal 2005-06, Tk 16.40 crore in 2006-07, Tk 16.93 crore in 2007-08 and Tk 5.91 crore in 2008-09.
Mongla port was established at Chalna in 1950. Later, it was shifted to the bank of the Pashur River as the second largest seaport of the country in 1954.
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