Blockade: Loading, unloading at Ctg port normal but delivery hampered

While loading and unloading activities at the Chittagong port remain quite normal, the delivery of goods to and from the port has been obstructed due to hartals and blockade programmes imposed by opposition parties.

Trucks are unable to operate on the streets, causing hindrance to the transportation of essential items. Businessmen, exporters, and importers have voiced their concerns regarding the political unrest and the parties' blockade programs.

According to Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) sources, loading and unloading operations continued during the hartals and blockades, but deliveries were almost suspended.

Omar Faruk, Secretary of CPA, highlighted that while cargo and container handling remained normal, delivery services were disrupted by the hartals and blockades.

Mahafujul Haque Shah, Director of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), noted that while the transportation of import goods from Chittagong port's jetty to the ICD in Chattogram proceeded smoothly, the transportation of export and import goods and containers to and from Chattogram to other districts was hindered by the blockades and hartals.

Alamgir Parvej, an importer and Director of CCCI, acknowledged the disruption in the supply chain of essentials due to these programmes.

He highlighted the difficulty in transporting imported goods from Chittagong port to other districts at present. Mohammed Sekandar, another importer, expressed how trade and business are suffering due to the ongoing political unrest.

He emphasized that the transportation hindrances caused by hartals and blockades are leading to price hikes in retail markets across the country. Waker Uddin, a businessman, lamented the disruption in the supply chain caused by these programmes, echoing the sentiment that hartals and blockades are affecting trade.

The silent rise in the prices of essentials due to political unrest is causing significant hardship for people, leading to a crisis in transportation and increased costs.

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