Chattogram: The Chattogram Customs House has taken an initiative to destroy 126 containers containing 3,268 metric tonnes of unauctionable, substandard, and expired goods that have been lying at Chattogram Port for a long time.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the goods include 34 containers of substandard dates, 40 containers of expired soda ash, and 18 containers of expired feed-grade limestone, besides other perishable and damaged products such as oranges, onions, and cashew nuts, as stated in a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Tuesday.
The destruction process commenced at 10 am on Monday at a designated site behind the Chattogram Port Republic Club and is continuing without interruption, as mentioned in the release. Members of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar, and the local port police are present at the site to ensure security and provide necessary assistance during the disposal process.
The NBR highlighted that the environmentally safe destruction of these perishable and harmful goods will contribute significantly to reducing container congestion at Chattogram Port. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure the overall security of the port and protect the environment.
The NBR stated that the destruction of auction-ineligible and disposable goods, which have remained at the port for an extended period, will continue on an urgent basis in phases. This effort is expected to help free up space at the country's premier seaport and improve its operational efficiency.
Earlier on Monday, Customs House announced an e-auction for 442 containers of auctionable goods.