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The Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA), which is under the Ministry of Shipping, has recommended closing three non-profitable and inactive land ports and suspending operations at one more, according to a report.
The recommendation follows an inspection by a high-level committee formed to assess the viability of eight land ports.
The six-member committee headed by the Ministry of Shipping Joint Secretary (CPA & BLPA) Munshi Md. Moniruzzaman submitted the report on Sunday.
The committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Shipping, Finance Division, Road, Transport and Highways Division, National Board of Revenue and Bangladesh Land Port Authority, was formed to scrutinise the eight non-profitable and inactive ports under the Bangladesh Land Ports Authority.
Based on the field inspections, collected data, associated facilities and limitations, and the economic viability of the ports, the committee submitted a report to Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain.
The ports proposed for permanent closure due to lack of infrastructure, trade potential, and economic activity are Chilahati Land Port (Nilphamari), Daulatganj Land Port (Chuadanga), and Tegamukh Land Port (Rangamati).
Additionally, the committee suggested suspending operations at the Balla Land Port in Kedarkot of Habiganj, as the Indian side lacks infrastructure and road connectivity.
The committee suggested consolidating operations at Gobrakura-Karaitali Land Port (Mymensingh) into a single location instead of two sites. Meanwhile, Nakugaon Land Port (Sherpur) was recommended for further development due to its profitability. The report also advised continuing limited operations at Dhanua Kamalpur Land Port (Jamalpur) and Biral Land Port (Dinajpur), with the possibility of expanding export-import activities in the future.
The recommendations aim to enhance operational efficiency and optimise the use of resources in the country's land port network.