Chandpur, June 3 -- Along the muddy shores of the expansive Meghna River, the vision of establishing a contemporary riverside port in Chandpur continues to be unfulfilled, hindered by postponements, reduced workforce, and diminishing optimism.
Almost a year since work started on the Chandpur Modern River Port, advancement continues at an excruciatingly sluggish pace.
A recent trip to the location uncovered a tranquil setting — around half a dozen laborers, some dispersed equipment, and an essential construction endeavor that seems stalled, as if paused mid-time.
Launch activities have been halted in Chandpur due to adverse weather conditions.
One resident noted, 'It likely won’t happen this year, perhaps not until 2028 or later,'
Many others share this view, having witnessed the project's construction — or lack thereof — throughout the last few months.
The $100 crore initiative, funded by the World Bank and managed by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), was originally set to be completed by August of this year. This information comes from statements made by the former BIWTA chairman during an interaction with reporters in May of the previous year.
However, merely 15 percent of the work has been finished up until now, as stated by BIWTA officials.
BIWTA's current Chandpur Deputy Director, Md Bashir Ahmed, remains hopeful. "We're trying our best. The deadline has been extended to December. After the original contractor, Toma Construction, fled to Canada during last year's political transition," he said.
The need for a modern terminal in Chandpur is not new.
Over ten thousand individuals, encompassing women, children, and seniors, have been utilizing this particular ghaut for upward of ten years now to commute daily between various locations like Dhaka, Narayanganj, along with adjacent areas such as Faridgonj, Haimchar, Hajiganj, and Raipur, according to reports from BIWTA officials.
On festival days, this number increases significantly, with as many as 35 launches operating daily. Yet the existing facilities remain grossly inadequate.
There are no waiting areas, no access to drinking water, no toilet facilities, and no specific spaces provided for child feedings. Additionally, passengers endure extra discomfort due to an uncovered gangway, which leaves travelers drenched during rainfall.
Moreover, the disorder caused by temporary stalls clogging the nearby streets exacerbates the difficulties; however, recent initiatives have managed to remove some of these obstructions.
The very location of the construction site is troubling. Situated along an unstable section of the riverside, the terminal is perilously near to the Meghna River, which is infamous for its strong currents and erratic erosive tendencies.
Residents voiced their concern that the incomplete building could potentially be engulfed by the river before it ever becomes functional.
Depression-induced rains disrupt life in Chandpur
Despite the slow progress, many residents continue to hope that this long-awaited port will eventually offer safe, comfortable, and dignified travel for the people of Chandpur. "We've engaged a subcontractor and asked him to speed up the work," Bashir added.
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