Darshana-Daulatganj land port projects left in the lurch

UNB, Chuadanga :

Despite having huge prospects, two land ports of Chuadanga district remain neglected for years following their upgrade from customs stations.

Darshana Land Port and Daulatganj Land Port are situated in Damurhuda and Jibannagar upazila respectively, in the western part of the country.

According to the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, Darshana and Daulatganj land customs stations were declared land ports on January 12, 2002, and July 31, 2013, respectively, to facilitate import and export with the neighbouring country India.

But these two land ports are still not operational several years later due to reluctance on the part of the authorities concerned.

At present import-export activities are partially done through the Darshana customs station by railway. Goods transport is still a far cry from the land port. 

Chuadanga district administration said the distance from Dhaka to Kolkata will be reduced by around 70 kilometres after the launching of these two land ports. These two land ports will also decrease the journey time with capital Dhaka by 2-3 hours compared to the Benapole Land Port.

If distance and time decrease, businessmen will transport their goods through these two ports. So, it will be easier, faster, and cheaper to import goods from India through this port.

As a result, the government can earn more revenue compared to other land ports in the country.

Proponents claim it will be possible to unload at least 200 trucks of goods daily through Darshana and Daulatganj Land Ports. As a result, these two ports will decrease financial losses to the importers due to traffic chaos at Benapole port by releasing pressure on it.

Yakub Hossain Malik, president of Chuadanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said if the two ports are made operational for trade, a new horizon will open in business in the district.