The recent cargo car terminal at Benapole port, scheduled for inaugurate subsequent month, is expected to significantly make stronger loading and unloading operations, decrease congestion, and enlarge authorities earnings, fixed with port officials.
The terminal, with a capability of 1,200 to 1,500 vehicles, entails a parking yard, cargo and provider buildings, utility companies and products, a fireplace place, popular leisure room complexes, and a weighbridge.
Port officials acknowledged the terminal is popular and visually impressive. Once the electricity connection is established, operations can inaugurate. The terminal is expected to decrease the long-standing traffic jam at the port and provides a enhance to effectivity.
They acknowledged improved facet road and rail connectivity between Bangladesh and India has ended in a surge in alternate by blueprint of Benapole land port but moreover created logistical challenges, in particular in goods transportation.
To tackle these considerations and make stronger the port’s capability, the “Cargo Automotive Terminal Building” project became once initiated.
Rashedul Sajib Nazir, deputy director at Benapole Port, acknowledged “Building began in February 2022. The project, masking 24 acres, has a budget allocation of Tk329 crore, in conjunction with Tk109 crore for land acquisition and Tk220 crore for construction work.”
Shamsur Rahman, president of the Benapole Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association, acknowledged the terminal will significantly decrease traffic and congestion. With place for 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles, goods could well even be unloaded sooner, permitting Indian vehicles to procedure promptly.
“This will decrease extra costs for importers, who previously had been penalised due to delays in clearing goods. Furthermore, as more vehicles are unloaded, the authorities will plan shut pleasure in increased earnings,” added Shamsur Rahman.
Officers acknowledged Benapole port handles 7,000 to eight,000 tonnes of Indian imports day-to-day, but place constraints power goods to be kept in the open, causing Indian vehicles to support for days due to restricted unloading companies and products.
The terminal’s opening will ease these considerations, they added.
In recent years, import volumes by blueprint of Benapole occupy fluctuated. In FY21, 26.44 lakh tonnes had been imported, adopted by 18.6 lakh tonnes in FY22 and 20 lakh tonnes in FY23. Nonetheless, imports declined to 17.20 lakh tonnes in the final fiscal year.
Ejaz Uddin Tipu, a main importer from Jashore, acknowledged, “Beforehand, we incurred penalties due to delays ended in by the port’s congestion. The recent terminal will be a reduction for all importers.”
Hasan Ali, project director and chief engineer of the terminal, acknowledged the supreme construction quality, verified by Buet, Kuet, and laboratory assessments performed by the terminal itself, has been ensured.
“We inquire of the electricity connection to be carried out within per week, and the terminal will be inaugurated in October. This will enlarge both the port’s capability and authorities earnings, extra facilitating alternate between the two international locations.”
Mizanur Rahman Khan, mature president of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged the terminal’s inauguration will significantly ease traffic and decrease congestion for importers.
“Nonetheless, unless considerations at Petrapole are resolved, these benefits will be restricted,” he added.
