Ministerial committee recommends closure of 4 sick land ports

A committee of the Shipping Ministry has recommended closing four non-profitable and inactive ports under the Bangladesh Land Ports Authority.

The shipping ministry issued a notification in this regard on Sunday (March 2).

The committee formed by the ministry to assess the viability of eight land ports, conducted inspections and evaluated various factors such as infrastructure, facilities, economic feasibility, and overall functionality.

The land ports under review are – Nakugaon Land Port (Sherpur), Gobrakura-Karaitali Land Port (Mymensingh), Dhanua Kamalpur Land Port (Jamalpur), Balla Land Port (Habiganj), Birol Land Port (Dinajpur), Chilahati Land Port (Nilphamari), Daulatganj Land Port (Chuadanga), Tegamukh Land Port (Rangamati).

It was known that the adviser for the Ministry of Shipping and Labour and Employment, Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr Sakhawat Hossain inspected various land ports of the country after assuming office. During the inspection, the adviser directed the formation of a high-level committee to investigate and submit a report on various unprofitable and inactive land ports of the country.

Following extensive inspections and analysis, the committee submitted its report, recommending that no further infrastructure development is needed for Chilahati Land Port (Nilphamari), Daulatganj Land Port (Chuadanga), and Tegamukh Land Port (Rangamati), as they lack sufficient economic activity or trade potential.

Additionally, the report suggested that operational activities at Balla Land Port (Habiganj) remain suspended due to the lack of supporting infrastructure and roads on the Indian side.