Another river port is coming up in Rajshahi

India on one side, Bangladesh on the other. Padma river in between. Before partition, goods were brought and taken between Rajshahi and Murshidabad through this waterway. After a long time, the waterway is being opened again. A river port has already been launched on an experimental basis. Preparations are underway to launch another river port. However, there is apprehension about keeping the river port operational due to the Padma water crisis. However, the people concerned say that the excavation work of this border river will be started soon after surveying.

Soon after independence, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi signed the Seven Naval Protocols. After 1975, no further initiative was taken to introduce them. After so long, both the countries have taken initiative to open the sea routes again. After almost six decades, on February 12 Sultanganj of Rajshahi-India's Maya sea route was launched. On the first day, cloth and stones were brought and taken between the two countries.

Now Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has started the process of opening another seaport with India through Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park area in the western edge of Rajshahi metropolis. Last April, this navigable route was gazetted as a river port. It is expected to use the two river ports to import stone, onions, fruits, fly ash, marble and other products from India at low cost and send agricultural products from Rajshahi.

Economists and business leaders of Rajshahi say that if these two waterways between India and Rajshahi are opened, the business and trade between the two countries will expand as well as employment will be created.

Professor Ilyas Hossain of Rajshahi University's Department of Economics said, 'If Rajshahi connects with India's Murshidabad and Malda, trade will increase. As a result, there will be a positive impact on the economy of the region. Many jobs will be created.'

Masudur Rahman Rinku, President of Rajshahi Industry and Merchants Association said, 'Maya-Sultanganj a river port has already been launched experimentally. Now I am hearing about becoming a river port towards Rajshahi city. If that is the case, then we will be able to import products at a lower cost. At least 20 to 25 thousand people will be employed here. If it goes to Nagarbari-Mongla via Ruppur, employment will increase further.'

Many have expressed apprehension about the water shortage of Padma. Jamat Khan, general secretary of Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad, said, 'There is no water in Padma during the dry season. The Farakka agreement with India will expire in 2026. If there is no new agreement, there is no possibility of getting water. Therefore, ensuring the flow of water in the Padma is a big task before opening the river port. If there is no water, there will be no benefit in opening the port.'

This can be seen by looking at the lighter ship named MV Rudra which came to Sultanganj from India. This ship with a capacity of 3000 metric tons has been stuck in Sultanganj for almost a month. The ship is unable to return to India due to lack of water. Laxman Darbar, the master of the ship, is sitting waiting for the water to rise. He said that he had to wait in one place for seven days due to lack of water while coming from India on this route of only 17 km. After that, even if you can come to an agreement, you can't go back.

Regarding the initiative of opening another waterway through Rajshahi city despite such a disaster of this waterway which was launched with great potential, the Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, says, 'Work is underway to solve the obstacles that have been found in the case of the five boats experimentally plying on the Maya-Sultanganj waterway. The port will be kept open by dredging the river.

He also said, 'After Sultanganj, there has been a gazette notification to build another river port through the area adjacent to Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi city. The Indian government is very interested in sea routes. India has prepared their ports and informed us. Now, if the Padma river is capital dredging, in the dry season, up to 700 metric tons of goods can be brought in at a very low cost. In monsoon it will be up to two thousand tons. Business and trade will progress if the sea route is opened. That's why I have an interest as a mayor.'

Saiful Islam, Director of BIWTA's Port and Transport Branch, said, 'The necessary infrastructure construction of Sultanganj river port in Godagari has not yet been completed. It is currently being tested. Downstream of this port will be another river port through Rajshahi city. This river port was gazetted on April 30. If both ports are open, many benefits will be available. However, keeping the two ports operational throughout the year is a challenge. For this, the navigability of the river should be restored.'

BIWTA Dredging Branch Additional Chief Engineer (Pur) Chaidur Rahman said, 'Before dredging the river, a survey should be done. That hasn't happened yet. Hoping to keep the port open, survey work can be started soon. When it is finished, it will be understood how many kilometers wide area, how much dredging will be done, how much it will cost. Then the project should be prepared and approved by the government. After doing all this, the river excavation work should be done.'