Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Textiles Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain today said the interim government plans to hand over several land ports to the private sector and shut down all land ports that generate no revenue.
“Four of the country’s 24 land ports have already been closed, and the process of shutting down four more unprofitable ports is underway,” he told reporters during a visit to Hili land port in Dinajpur.
He said plans are being drawn up to improve infrastructure at developing land ports, with steps to be taken gradually to address existing problems, reports BSS.
Earlier, business leaders at a meeting with the adviser urged the authorities to repair roads, expand warehouse facilities, and improve overall infrastructure. Following the meeting, the adviser inspected various facilities of the Hili land port and customs division, issuing necessary instructions to officials concerned.
Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Mohammad Manjarul Mannan, Rangpur Customs Divisional Commissioner Arun Kumar Biswas, and Hili Customs Assistant Commissioner A S M Akram were present during the visit.