National plan needed to enhance Chattogram port capacity: Farhad Mazhar

Political analyst Farhad Mazhar today (22 December) has called for a national plan to enhance the capacity of Chattogram port.

"The port is directly linked to urbanisation. We need to develop a national plan for the kind of port we want. All stakeholders should come together and prepare a draft or plan," he said at a discussion meeting at the Chattogram Circuit House.

"There's no point in spending crores of taka on this plan. We can do it ourselves," he added.

The meeting, titled "Unlocking the Future: Strategies for Enhancing Chittagong Port's Capacity" organised by the Bondor Surokkha Committee, was attended by senior officials of Chittagong Port Authority, representatives of various port stakeholders, labour leaders, and coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Farhad, also a human rights activist, said, "Due to geopolitical reasons, the port is very important and it's connected to the country's economic development. Similarly, there is a connection between the port's efficiency and investment."

Farhad Mazhar further stated, "People's sovereignty means that the power should be in the hands of the people, who must take charge of planning and implementing those plans.

"Economic development will occur if trade and investment are stable."

He also stressed political stability to achieve economic growth and foster relationships with neighbouring regions like Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.

The speakers at the meeting criticised the previous Awami League government's decision to allow Indian goods to be transported through Chattogram and Mongla ports, calling it a "black law" that harmed the country's interests.

They demanded the cancellation of such agreements and called for the dismantling of syndicates operating in the port.

The speakers also opposed the plan to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) terminal at the port to a foreign entity.