Goods pile up at ports on political gridlock

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Business activities at the country’s sea and land ports came to a halt yesterday due to countrywide non-stop blockade by Awami League (AL)-led 14-party alliance.

Sources said loading and unloading of goods at Chittagong seaport suspended yesterday afternoon when blockade-supporting port workers first stop their works and then forced others to do so.

Earlier, the 14-party alliance supporters and workers started different programmes from the morning in support of the blockade near the seaport area and different city points.

Chittagong City Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury addressed a number of rallies around the port area and threatened to initiate tighter movement from today. “We won’t allow any sort of operation inside the port and also in the Bandar Bhaban from Monday. No port officials would be allowed to work,” Chowdhury said.

A total of 18,400 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent unit) containers got stuck at the port due to the blockade.

However, operation at the newly built New Mooring Container Terminal was normal, sources said.

Activities at Mongla seaport and 11 land ports were also remained suspended since yesterday morning, sources said.

Our Khulna correspondent reported that no activities were took place at Mongla port till 4 pm yesterday. Port workers, loyal to 14-party alliance, observed a peaceful siege programme at the port.

Benapole port authority shut down all the gates of the port barring transportation of goods to and from India considering security measures, sources said.

A number of lorries carrying goods were stuck at India’s Petrapole port due to yesterday’s blocked programme. People, who were intended to travel India, got stranded at Benapole port, said sources.

Export and import of goods through Sonamasjid land port were also remained suspended yesterday.

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