Ashuganj river port grows in importance, needs infrastructural development | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
July 15, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025
Ashuganj river port grows in importance, needs infrastructural development

Infrastructure

Azizul Shonchay
29 May, 2022, 01:00 pm
Last modified: 29 May, 2022, 01:06 pm

Related News

  • Female madrasa student’s body found inside mosque in Brahmanbaria; imam, muezzin in police custody
  • JCD leader killed, 15 injured in clash over local dominance in Brahmanbaria
  • 5 OCs among 8 police officials transferred in Brahmanbaria
  • Titas commuter runs 8km in the dark with mobile torches after headlight fails
  • All Brahmanbaria municipality staff show-caused for late attendance

Ashuganj river port grows in importance, needs infrastructural development

Traders demand the construction of five more jetties

Azizul Shonchay
29 May, 2022, 01:00 pm
Last modified: 29 May, 2022, 01:06 pm
A jetty crane unloads goods at Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria. The authorities are planning to raise its leasing price even though little has been done to expand the capacity of the port since its inception 11 years ago. Photo: TBS
A jetty crane unloads goods at Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria. The authorities are planning to raise its leasing price even though little has been done to expand the capacity of the port since its inception 11 years ago. Photo: TBS

Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria has not gone through any development work since its inception as a full-fledged port 11 years ago despite having huge potential in facilitating trade in the country.

Although the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is planning to increase the leasing price of the port in the next fiscal year, little has been done to expand its capacity.

At present, there are only two jetties in the port, which is much less than needed considering the number of ships arriving here.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Traders say it takes 4-5 days to unload goods from each ship, which creates long queues in the port. However, if a ship cannot be unloaded within seven days of anchoring at the port, it has to pay extra money.

The port is currently being used to transport goods to different areas of the country through waterways, which saves both time and money. It is also used to transport goods between India and Bangladesh.

The port was inaugurated officially in 2011 through a transport of goods from Palatana power station in Tripura, India. Before that small and large cargo ships and bulkheads used to anchor in the ferry ghat area of the Meghna River in Ashuganj. Currently, more than 1,000 workers are making a living by loading and unloading goods in this port.

Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria. Photo: TBS
Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria. Photo: TBS

Traders say hundreds of small and large ships loaded with various goods, including rods, cement, stones, fertilisers, paddy and wheat arrive at Ashuganj river port every month. If the number of jetties and other facilities are increased, the number of ships will be doubled.

They note that they cannot use the existing warehouse to keep their goods at the port as it was built to store Indian goods. So if delivery is delayed after the unloading of goods from the ship, they have to suffer.

Besides, trucks used for transporting goods have to be parked on the road in front of the port as there is no truck yard there, they said.

The traders have demanded that five more jetties be built to solve such problems and expand the commercial activities of the port.

Nasir Mia, a businessman, said, "Even though more than 11 years have passed since its establishment, the much-needed infrastructural development of Ashuganj river port has not taken place. We cannot unload goods from the ships at the scheduled time due to a jetty shortage. We also need a truck yard."

Another businessman, Nazrul Islam, said, "Other ships have to be anchored at the port until the goods of one ship have been unloaded. So, jetty shortage is the biggest problem. At least five more jetties need to be built for uninterrupted loading and unloading."

Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria. Photo: TBS
Ashuganj river port in Brahmanbaria. Photo: TBS

Touhidul Islam Nasir, the lessee of Ashuganj river port, said, "The facilities in the port are not enough considering the leasing money. We have a shortage of jetties and there is also no warehouse."

"The government will benefit from the port if the problems are solved," he added.

In the current financial year (2021-2022), a contractor in Ashuganj leased the port for about Tk1.10 crore. The contractor charges Tk23 for per tonne of goods transported through the port. In addition, small ships have to pay Tk300 and large ships Tk500 as berthing fees while staying at the port.

Md Shahid Ullah, deputy director of BIWTA and in charge of the port, said, "Once the port was not very important. At the time, the lease price of the port was also low. But now the importance of the port is increasing with the rise of transportation of goods. So the lease price will be increased in the next financial year."

"The port needs more infrastructural development. The number of jetties should also be increased. We understand that. If the traders send us their demands in written form, we will deliver it to the authorities concerned," he added.

Bangladesh / Top News

Ashuganj river port / Brahmanbaria / Ashuganj / BIWTA / River port

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin met USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the USTR office in Washington, DC on 10 July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    US tariff: 3rd round talks to be held on issues under non-disclosure agreement 
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Dollar gains Tk1.8 as BB buys at higher rates, lifting market floor
  • US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he arrives at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 13, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
    In reversal, Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil

MOST VIEWED

  • Graphics: TBS
    Bangladesh Bank buys $171m at higher rate in first-ever auction
  • From Gulf to Southeast Asia, why Bangladeshis are facing visa denials
    From Gulf to Southeast Asia, why Bangladeshis are facing visa denials
  • Infographic: TBS
    Dollar price plummets by Tk2.9 in a week as demand wanes
  • Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan speaking about tariff negotiations with United States on 13 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    US wants a framework agreement with Bangladesh that includes their security concerns: Fouzul
  • CNG drivers blockaded a road in Banani demanding route allocation on 13 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    CNG drivers block road in Banani for hours, causing Mohakhali-Uttara gridlock 
  • Representational image. Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    Navy-run Dry Dock takeover boosts Ctg Port container handling, daily avg up 7%

Related News

  • Female madrasa student’s body found inside mosque in Brahmanbaria; imam, muezzin in police custody
  • JCD leader killed, 15 injured in clash over local dominance in Brahmanbaria
  • 5 OCs among 8 police officials transferred in Brahmanbaria
  • Titas commuter runs 8km in the dark with mobile torches after headlight fails
  • All Brahmanbaria municipality staff show-caused for late attendance

Features

Illustration: TBS

Open source legal advice: How Facebook groups are empowering victims of land disputes

6h | Panorama
DU students at TSC around 12:45am on 15 July 2024, protesting Sheikh Hasina’s insulting remark. Photo: TBS

‘Razakar’: The butterfly effect of a word

14h | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Grooming gadgets: Where sleek tools meet effortless styles

1d | Brands
The 2020 Harrier's Porsche Cayenne coupe-like rear roofline, integrated LED lighting with the Modellista special bodykit all around, and a swanky front grille scream OEM Plus for the sophisticated enthusiast looking for a bigger family car that isn’t boring. PHOTO: Ahbaar Mohammad

2020 Toyota Harrier Hybrid: The Japanese Macan

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Will Patriot missile defense save Ukraine?

Will Patriot missile defense save Ukraine?

7h | Others
Market intermediaries want changes in policies

Market intermediaries want changes in policies

8h | TBS Today
Robbery 'in front' of the police, what happened next...

Robbery 'in front' of the police, what happened next...

8h | TBS Stories
Conspirators want Bangladesh not to hold elections: Fakhrul

Conspirators want Bangladesh not to hold elections: Fakhrul

8h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net