Indo-Bangladesh Joint Technical Committee members today inspected Gongophira and Nabinpara areas along the banks of Feni river at Sabroom.
A 12-member delegation led by Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board Md. Ramzan Ali Pramanik arrived in India today after crossing the Maitri Bridge. On behalf of India a 10-member delegation led by South Tripura District Magistrate Saju Vaheed took part in the joint delegation. Apart from the District Magistrate of South Tripura District, the Indian delegation also included Sanjay Saha, Chief Executive Engineer, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Mahitosh Das, Chief Engineer, Department of Water Resources.
After the inspection the joint delegation met in the meeting room of Sabroom Nagar Panchayat. The meeting decided to take initiative to solve the unresolved issue regarding the use of water in Feni river.
Meantime Munir Hossain from Dhaka reports :
Export and import through Benapole land port will gain pace once the Padma Bridge is opened.
Goods will travel from the port to the capital Dhaka within a very short time, which will decrease the prices of almost every item, said Shamsur Rahman, president of Benapole C&F Agents Association.
Around 80% of raw materials needed for various industries including the readymade garments (RMG) sector is imported through Benapole land port.
The inauguration of the 6.15-km double-decker bridge on June 25 and the subsequent launch of vehicular movement on June 26 will expand industrial production as well as the markets for different agro products in the country’s southwestern region.
Currently, the government collects around Tk6,000 crore as revenue from the Benapole Customs House per year, which will increase to Tk10,000 crore due to the addition of the Padma Bridge to the existing communication network.
Benapole Export-Import Association President Mohsin Milon said a long-cherished dream of Benapole port users is going to be fulfilled through the Padma Bridge coming into existence.
“We thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for this much-needed gift to the business community of southern Bangladesh. Business people will be more motivated to expand their businesses as the Padma Bridge will increase the ease of doing business and reduce the travel time between Dhaka to the southwestern part of the country,” said Milon.
“Padma Bridge will double the export rate of the country. The structure will also bring back the lost pride of Benapole port,” said Abdul latif, a businessman.
Director of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries Motiar Rahman said people have to spend at least 8-10 hours to reach Dhaka from Benapole right now.
Hundreds of vehicles get stuck in long queues on both sides of the Padma River in winter. Students from Jessore and adjacent districts cannot go to the capital for studies. Many patients die on their way to the hospitals situated in the capital. All of these scenarios will change now thanks to the construction of the Padma Bridge, added Motiar.
Benapole Customs House Joint Commissioner Abdur Rashid said at present around 10,000 travellers go to India via the Benapole International Checkpost every day. This number will increase by a great extent once the Padma Bridge becomes operational.
Commissioner of Benapole Customs House Md Azizur Rahman said imports from India through rail networks have increased in recent years.
Business with India will double after the launch of the Padma Bridge. Goods will be transported to other parts of the country via rail networks quickly, which will double the revenue collection by the government, said Azizur.
