The Padma Bridge is expected to boost the use of the Mongla Port, which in spite of being the second largest seaport in the country, is operating at just half of its capacity. According to the trade community, Mongla Port is the nearest seaport to the country’s capital which is surrounded by a large number of industries that have so far exclusively used the Chattogram Port which is relatively at a farther distance, spending relatively more time and higher cost.
The trade community further said, use of the Mongla Port, in contrast, by these industries would save both their travel time and cost as the distance will be only 170 kilometres from Dhaka. The Chattogram Port is 260km from the capital and the Payra Port 190km.
‘The Mongla Port will be the closest and most comfortable port for businesspeople after the launch of the Padma Bridge as it will save their travel time and cost,’ said Abdul Haque, the immediate past president of the Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association.
He urged the Mongla Port Authority to pay attention to improving its services and capacity in order to ensure better services, predicting that the port is likely to face a huge pressure in the near future.
The country’s longest 6.15-kilometre-long multipurpose road-rail bridge on the River Padma will connect the capital city and the adjoining areas with the south-western region of the country.
Mongla Port Authority chair Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa told New Age that the port was ready to take some additional pressure as it had meanwhile enhanced its structures and equipment, adding that it is implementing more development projects to facilitate more imports and exports.
He observed that a comprehensive connectivity with the port was first needed so that it could handle increased imports and exports.
The 120km Khulna–Mongla connecting road and train communication should immediately be completed, he further said.
‘Only 60 per cent of the Mongla Port capacity is currently used. The use will increase up to three times within two years when a number of development projects will be completed,’ Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa said.
If there is demand for handling a greater number of vessels and increased exports and imports, the port has space for that purpose, he said. ‘Need-based development activities will be taken in the future,’ he added.
Padma Bridge will also transform the economy of Bagerhat. The overall economy of the district is based on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and the Mongla Port. The overall economy of the district is based on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and the Mongla Port. Farmers of the district can now send their produced vegetables all over the country using the Padma Bridge. Exporting of shrimp and activities of the Mongla Port will also be boosted.
