Sultanganj River Port under Godagari Upazila in the district is set to open aiming at strengthening trade and commerce between Bangladesh and India.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to inaugurate the river port in the presence of Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma.
Among others, Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League and Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Omar Faruk Chowdhury, MP, and BIWTA Chairman Commodore Afir Ahmed Mostafa will also attend the programme as special guests.
He said the river port is going to launch under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) as part of the trade agreement between Bangladesh and India.
The protocol was signed in 1972 and renewed on March 31, 2020, to ensure both countries benefit from their waterways for trade and commerce, he added.
The distance of this route is only 17 kilometres. During the dry season, 200-300 tonnes of goods can be transported in each cargo. During monsoon, transportation of goods will be a bit difficult due to the strong current in the river.
BIWTA Assistant Engineer Shah Alam said a control place has already been established at the port ahead of the inauguration.
Apart from this, an approach for the direct loading and unloading of goods onto ships.
Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said they have been working to set up the river port for a long time. It finally happened because of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sincere efforts.
Mayor Liton said the government has plans to extend the river route to Mongla port and conduct joint capital dredging for the river’s navigability by India and Bangladesh.
President of Exporters’ and Importers’ Association of Chapainawabganj Kazi Shahabuddin said a 500-tonne capacity barge in the river is equivalent to 25 trucks on the road, and barges use less fuel oil. Prices of goods will naturally fall.
Business leaders said the river port will primarily be used to import stones, fly ash, stones, coal, fruits, and spices from India, as well as to export jute and garments from Bangladesh.
President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Masudur Rahman said the river has lost its navigability and must be excavated before the full benefits of the river port can be realised.
