Operational bottlenecks hamper Bhomra Land Port

Importers and traders at Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira are facing mounting difficulties due to a series of operational and infrastructural challenges that continue to hamper the clearance and transportation of imported goods
Business leaders and stakeholders say inadequate infrastructure, slow customs procedures, labor shortages, and rising operational costs have significantly disrupted activities at one of the country’s important land ports, forcing many importers to shift to alternative ports.

The port has been struggling with the absence of adequate warehouses, delays in customs assessment and document verification, a shortage of truck parking facilities, excessive traffic congestion, slow loading and unloading operations, and periodic labor and transport strikes.

Local extortion and inconsistencies between Bangladeshi and Indian customs procedures have further slowed cargo movement.

“Bhomra is a highly promising port, but the lack of modern facilities and proper management has prevented it from reaching its full potential,” said importer Anwar Hossain.

He noted that delays in cargo clearance increase transportation, labor, and port handling costs, placing additional financial burdens on traders.

Another importer, Md. Mohsin, said that businesses naturally prefer ports where goods can be cleared quickly and at lower costs.

According to him, congestion, labor shortages, and prolonged customs procedures at Bhomra have forced many traders to look elsewhere.

Leading importer-exporter Dipankar Ghosh stressed the need for modernization at the port.

He said many operations are still conducted manually due to the absence of automation, causing unnecessary delays.

He also pointed to shortages of modern cranes, truck sheds, fire safety services, accommodation, and medical facilities.

“Without these basic facilities, it is difficult to maintain smooth trade operations at such an important land port,” he said.

Business leaders have also proposed the construction of a railway link connecting Bhomra with Benapole or Navaron, arguing that rail transport would reduce transportation costs, save time, and ease cargo congestion.

Stakeholders say operating costs at Bhomra remain higher than at several competing ports.

Unlike other ports where certain incentives are available for importing raw materials, traders at Bhomra receive no such benefits while facing higher truck fares, labor expenses, and port charges.

Shahinur Islam, a C&F agent at the port, said many traders are incurring losses due to rising operational costs.

“If businesses continue to suffer losses instead of making profits, importers will naturally move to other ports,” he said.

Ramkrishna Chakraborty, president of the Bhomra Port Importers and Exporters Association, warned that the current situation is affecting not only traders but also government revenue.

He said declining import and export activities have reduced investment opportunities and employment while causing significant revenue losses.

“The government is losing substantial revenue because of declining trade activities,” he said, urging policymakers to adopt effective measures and improve infrastructure to restore the port’s competitiveness.

Abu Musa, general secretary of the Bhomra Port C&F Agents Association, expressed optimism that the government would take necessary steps to create a more favorable business environment.

He emphasized that warehouses, truck terminals, modern equipment, automation, and improved security systems are essential for revitalizing the port.

Attempts to obtain comments from customs officials were unsuccessful, as no official agreed to speak on the issue.

However, Md. Atikul Islam, Assistant Director (Traffic) of Bhomra Port, said that development projects worth approximately Tk 11 billion are currently underway to expand the port’s capacity.

He said land acquisition and sand-filling work have already been completed, although some projects have been delayed due to funding complications.

He expressed hope that once the ongoing development projects are completed, cargo clearance operations will become faster and more efficient, allowing traders to import and export goods more easily and restoring momentum to the port’s activities.