Chattogram Bureau :
Due to the delay in constructing the sluice gate at the Karnafuli estuary of the Chaktai canal and the effect of filling the canal with embankment, the transportation of consignments by marine transports in Chaktai-Khatunganj has decreased alarmingly. From Chaktai Khatunganj, goods are transported by sea to Moheskhali, Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar, Hatia in Noakhali and Sandwip and in Chittagong. But now the boat is not able to enter the Chaktai canal and the goods have to be lifted at Karnafuli estuary. As a result, they have to hire a separate transport from Chaktai Khatunganj and load it on a boat caused extra expenses.
The traders said that they have to spend twice as much for transporting the goods per sack. They say that at one time most of the trade in Chaktai Khatunganj was by sea and river . At present, with the improvement of road communication, the trade by sea has come down . In mid-2016, the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) filled part of the Chaktai canal to build a slitch gate. As a result, boats are not able to reach the wharf to transport goods. If you want to send the goods again, you have to cross the estuary of Chaktai canal and load and unload the goods there.
Mentionable Chaktai Canal, which is currently plagued by various problems, has become a source of grief for traders like the Huangho River in China. In the last two decades, the canal has lost its navigability permanently due to illegal construction on both sides of the Chaktai canal, siltation of the canal and paving of the floor. Besides, water holding capacity has decreased due to ineffective dredging in Karnafuli River. As a result, water is entering the shop warehouse in the low lying area of Chaktai Khatunganj without rain.
Chaktai Khatunganj warehouse general secretary of the general business welfare association. Mohiuddin told that for the last two years, traders in Chaktai Khatunganj have been rushing to send goods to different areas by boat as the construction work of CDA’s slitch gate has not been completed. In particular, goods have to be sent to Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Sandwip and Hatia at extra cost.
