Land ports to be set up in 3 hill districts: Shipping minister

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan today said three land ports would be set up in three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

"National River Protection Commission will work for demarcating river boundaries in CHT while Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will dredge the river," he said in a meeting at the shipping ministry on the demarcation of river boundaries, enhancing navigability and setting up land ports in CHT, said an official release.

The minister said the CHT districts can play a big role in expansion of trade and commerce in Chittagong.

With this in view, a decision has been taken to dredge the rivers of Kacha Long, Maini, Ichhamoti, Karnafuli, Chengni, Matamahuri, Sangu, Feni and Halda, he said, adding that this is the first time a post-liberation government has taken steps to dredge the rives in hill districts.

This will create employment opportunities and contribute to trade and business, he observed.

The minister said many rivers in the country had lost navigability but the present government brought back navigability by expediting dredging activities across the country.

The government procured 14 dredgers from 2009 to 2013 and 20 dredgers would be purchased by 2019, he said, adding that the private companies purchased 50 more dredgers.

A total of 1,200 kilometers of river route has so far been dredged in the country, he said.

The shipping minister said land ports would be set up at Ramgar in Khargachhari, Barkal in Rangamati and Naikhangchhari in Bandarban.

State Minister for CHT Affairs Bir Bahadur, CHT Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhiprio Larma, secretaries and senior officials concerned were present in the meeting.