Chattogram: Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today announced that all illegally occupied land of Chattogram port would be recovered within the next two months to make the port entirely free from encroachment. This statement was made in response to a supplementary question from opposition Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury (Chattogram-15) in the Jatiya Sangsad.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shahjahan Chowdhury raised concerns over illegal leasing and occupation of various areas of Chattogram port and queried about the government’s measures to reclaim the occupied land. In response, Minister Alam indicated that leases of several port areas had already been revoked, with two areas recovered and a court case ongoing for the remaining area.
Minister Alam also addressed ownership disputes involving certain port regions between the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Shipping. He mentioned that necessary decisions were made during his recent visit to Chattogram and that pending court cases would be resolved through arbitration. He expressed optimism that the port would be free from illegal occupation within the stipulated timeframe.
Furthermore, Minister Alam highlighted the improved operational efficiency of Chattogram port, noting that ships now unload and reload cargo within two days, a process that previously took up to ten days. He also mentioned record levels of revenue collection and container movement at both Chattogram and Mongla ports.
The Patenga Container Terminal is operating according to international standards, while the Laldia Container Terminal is being developed under a public-private partnership. The Laldia terminal is expected to attract approximately US$800 million in investment and generate employment for around 3,000 individuals.
In response to a supplementary question from opposition lawmaker Md. Quamrul Hassan (Mymensingh-6), Minister Alam stated that around 7,500 kilometers of waterways nationwide had been maintained through dredging, with dredging ongoing for an additional 1,200 kilometers.
Addressing river pollution around Dhaka, he noted that 424 pollution sources and spots had been identified, with coordinated efforts from various authorities to mitigate pollution in the five rivers surrounding the city.
Regarding the reintroduction of water bus services, Minister Alam revealed that the previous project incurred losses of Tk 57 crore over the past decade. The BIWTA has identified the issues and initiated a new effort to revive the service, aiming to reintroduce water bus services on Dhaka’s ring waterways within the next few months.
Minister Alam also assured that the BIWTA, despite lacking direct legal authority, is actively identifying illegal river encroachments and collaborating with local administrations to conduct eviction drives, although logistical challenges have impeded progress in some regions.