Lack of maintenance and extensive damage caused by onslaught of river erosion have
kept the C&B river port in Faridpur in a decrepit condition, making a big dent in its
importance.
Although revenue income of half a crore taka has been received from the port in the
current fiscal, the authorities seem to have hardly any attention to its development.
Businessmen are losing interest in using the port, once highly valued, for its poor and
run-down infrastructures.
Business activities in the old port are reducing largely especially because of various
transport related troubles the businessmen face here.
During a spot visit, rice, jute, onion etc were seen being transported from Faridpur,
Magura and Jessore to different districts through the river port.
Besides, cement of different companies from Narayanganj, coal and sand from Sylhet and
fertiliser from Chittagong are brought through this port.
Port labour Sharif said the river port needs three more pontoons for transporting goods.
Mahfuz, master of the cargo which brought government fertiliser from Chittagong, said
there are problems of navigability, lack of pontoons and godwons in the river port.
He added if the authorities take care, labourers can work smoothly.
He said further for the last 10 days, he could not unload fertiliser.
Oliur Rahman, who brought cement from Narayanganj, said he could not unload fresh
cement for the last four days due to lack of pontoons.
Port cashier Abdur Razzak said there is no sufficient space in the river port to store
goods.
Moreover, he said drivers face problems in crossing the muddy road.
Trucks get stuck in the muddy road particularly during monsoon.
Jalil sheikh said he took lease of the port by paying Tk 42 lakh.
Due to various problems, he said, they cannot transport goods smoothly through this port.
Huge quantity of government fertiliser is left in the port.
It has become difficult to unload cement, coal and potato coming from different districts.
Deputy Commissioner of Faridpur Moinuddin Ahmad said that the higher authorities
would be informed for the development of the port. -UNB, Faridpur
