Ashuganj Port set for transformation with modern cargo terminal

A modern cargo terminal is being constructed at Ashuganj River Port in Brahmanbaria to expand trade via waterways and enhance infrastructural capacity, with the capability to handle at least 15 lakh tonnes of cargo annually using state-of-the-art machinery.

According to port officials, the cargo terminal is being constructed at a cost of Tk210 crore, funded by the World Bank. The project includes building three jetties (each 70 metres long), two covered storage facilities, two open storage areas, a substation, a yard and other necessary infrastructure.

Officials say the initiative is expected to boost the local economy through increased trade while generating significant revenue for the government. It will transform this key river port into a vital hub for economic activity.

Around 23% of the project has already been completed, according to officials.

Md Ayub Ali, director of the Ashuganj River Port Modern Cargo Terminal Project, said, "Initial delays in the project occurred due to the relocation of some private structures in the project area, but we hope to complete the work by August next year."

He added, "Currently, goods are loaded and unloaded haphazardly at the port. But the new system will streamline operations under BIWTA's control, ensuring better organisation and increased government revenue."

Traders note that despite its commercial importance, Ashuganj River Port lags behind other ports in the country in terms of infrastructure.

Currently, the port has only two jetties, which are insufficient to meet demand. Additionally, the absence of a warehouse forces goods to be stored under the open sky, and the lack of a truck yard results in trucks being parked along the port's sole road, causing frequent traffic congestion.

Each month, over 100 cargo ships and bulk carriers dock at the port. Unloading cargo from a single ship takes 4-5 days, during which other ships waiting to unload must remain anchored due to the limited jetties.

Moreover, if goods are not unloaded within seven days of a ship docking, businesses face additional charges, further increasing their financial burden.

Nasir Mia, a trader at Ashuganj River Port, said despite being established as a full-fledged port over a decade ago, the port has not seen the expected infrastructural development. "The lack of warehouses forces goods to be stored in the open, exposing them to damage from sun and rain."

Another trader, Shahjahan Siraj, highlighted that Ashuganj upazila is now recognised as a port city due to its strategic location, offering significant revenue potential for the government. He emphasised the need for infrastructural upgrades to fully realise this potential.

However, traders believe that the completion of the new cargo terminal will significantly boost business activities at the port. They have urged authorities to expedite the construction work.

Jakir Hossain, a trader at Ashuganj Port, said, "With the addition of three new jetties, goods can be unloaded from ships much faster, saving both time and money. Increased trade activity will naturally lead to more employment opportunities in the area."

Established as a full-fledged port over a decade ago due to its strategic location and commercial significance, Ashuganj River Port has also been designated a "port of call" to facilitate transboundary trade via waterways. The port has already been used to transport Indian goods through the Akhaura land port on several occasions.

Situated along the Meghna River, the port drives daily transactions worth at least Tk50 crore, primarily in rice, paddy, steel rods, and cement. Traders typically transport goods via ships and distribute them to various districts by road.

Kamal Hossain, joint general secretary of the Ashuganj Traders Association, stated that the new cargo terminal will enhance the port's efficiency, creating opportunities for new business ventures in the region.