Traffic declines at Bangladesh’s Baghabari River port

Sirajganj: The only riverport in the northern part of the country, Baghabari, has almost become non- functional.
About 15 to 17 steamers containing fertiliser, oil and raw materials for cement factory worth about Tk 30 million (three crore) in average anchor at the link point of the Jamuna and the Baral daily.

Fertiliser, oil and other goods worth about Tk 900 million (90 crore) are unloaded and supplied from there. Port sources said goods worth about Tk 10.80 billion (1080 crore taka) are exported through this port every year creating job opportunities for about 5,000 everyday.

In the mean time, the Water Development Board (WDB), Sirajganj has dumped thousands of sand bags at the link point of the rivers Jamuna and the Baral creating disturbance to the movement of the steamers.

Recently, this correspondent visited the link point and found at least 27 steamers standing there. Those water vessels were carrying goods worth about Tk 60 million (six crore).