Waterlogging hits Benapole Land Port , goods unloading activities disrupted
James Abdur Rahim Rana, Jashore
Due to the long-standing drainage problem, waterlogging has reached to an extreme form at the Benapole Land Port in Jashore.
With knee-deep water accumulating in various yards and roads of the port even after a little rain, goods unloading activities are being severely disrupted. As a result, the movement of security personnel and workers has become difficult.
The authorities have closed several gates of the port as cargo trucks have become unfit to enter. When they visited the Chattisgarh Terminal, they found that the entire area had turned into a water body—where trucks used to park and unload goods normally.
Port officials said that this situation has arisen due to the lack of drainage system. Although this problem occurs every year during the rainy season, there is no effective initiative to solve the problem. The port authorities say that the railway department has blocked the drainage route due to the dumping of soil at several places without leaving culverts.
Shahid Ali, general secretary of the Benapole Port Workers' Union, said that workers have to wade through knee-deep water to unload goods, causing extreme suffering to everyone. Truck drivers and assistants said that many are suffering from skin diseases and itching due to walking in water mixed with chemicals left in the rainwater.
Due to the chemical waste and chemicals left inside the port for a long time, harmful substances are mixing with the water, which is risky for the environment and the health of workers.
Ujjwal Biswas, Vice-president of the Import-Export Association, said that although Benapole Port collects about 10,000 crore taka in revenue every year, problems like waterlogging persist year after year. As a result, the activities of traders are being disrupted and they are facing financial losses.
Shamim Hossain, director of Benapole Port, said that waterlogging occurs every year at the port. The railway authorities are filling the land without leaving culverts, which is hampering water drainage. However, there are plans to quickly construct drains to deal with the situation and take measures to drain water along with the neighboring haors.
The lack of a long-term drainage system for an important economic center like the port has become a matter of concern for all parties concerned.
