Chattogram port users are grappling with a transport crisis even though port activities are set to continue under special arrangements amid the ongoing four-day holiday.
Besides, the 21 inland container depots (ICDs) in Chattogram will suspend operations for 32 hours starting from 12:00am on Thursday.
The government declared a two-day general holiday on 11-12 February to ensure that people can participate in the national election.
As such, people are enjoying a consecutive four-day break thanks to the addition of weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday.
And although essential services are to remain active in public interest, transport fees have ballooned due to a vehicle shortage.
The charge for hiring a covered van to transport goods from Chattogram port to Dhaka has risen to between Tk35,000 and Tk40,000 from the previous rate of Tk16,000 and Tk18,000.
Still, importers and carrying and forwarding (C&F) agents say they are struggling to find transport services even at these rates.
Joynul Abedin, former legal affairs secretary of the Chattogram C&F Agents Association, said the situation has become critical at present.
“I need five vehicles to transport goods from the port to Dhaka. Even after offering Tk35,000 per trip, I cannot secure a vehicle,” he added.
Chowdhury Zafar Ahmad, secretary general of the Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van and Prime Mover Owners Association, said the situation is akin to Eid vacations as most transport drivers and workers have gone home for the holiday.
He informed that the few vehicles available are charging fares at their own discretion to capitalise on the current shortage.
On the other hand, Md Omar Faruk, director and spokesperson of the Chattogram Port Authority, said that there will be no hurdles on their part.
The importers will be able to take deliveries from the port while export shipments will continue uninterrupted, he told TIMES.
Director (traffic) Enamul Karim said in a statement on 9 February that, as per the government order, a public holiday will be observed at all workplaces under the Traffic Department from 8:00am on February 11 to 8:00am on February 13.
The directive applies to all units under the Traffic Department, including the Pangaon ICT as well as the Dhaka ICD.
The order clarifies that during this period, work on ships and lighter vessels can continue under special arrangements with approval from customs and the CPA.
In such cases, additional charges will be applicable as per existing rules, the order said.
Those handling food items, relief goods, and other essential cargo have been instructed to inform the director of traffic or designated official in advance to ensure uninterrupted operations, it added.
The order further states that adequate manpower will be ready with prior booking in the Traffic Department to maintain operations.
Also, banks operating inside the port premises, relevant customs offices and private depots have been requested to keep sufficient staff deployed to support operational activities.
So, to prevent any disruptions to trade, Custom House Chattogram will remain open during election holidays, with staff conducting their duties based on a roster.
Sharif Al Amin, assistant commissioner and spokesperson of the customs house, said a decision was taken in this regard following instructions of the Customs Commissioner.
“Roster duties have been assigned to officers and staff so essential activities can continue normally during the holidays,” he added.
But as the 21 ICDs will suspend operations for 32 hours, no export-laden containers will be sent from depots to the port during this period.
BICDA Secretary General Ruhul Amin Sikder said that depot activities would resume in full swing after 8:00am on 13 February.
