The construction of Nagarbari Naval Port in Pabna is at its final stage after overcoming various complications including long procedures in land acquisition. However, the deadline for completing the project has been extended twice in between. However, 90 percent of the project has already been completed. Authorities claim that after the completion of the work, the speed of unloading goods from the ship will increase at least 10 times. Along with the revenue income of the government, employment will increase.
According to project sources, the previous Awami League government took the initiative to construct a modern river port at Nagarbari in Pabna Bera Upazila, which is known as the gateway to the northern region. A large amount of fertiliser, coal, cement, stone and other goods are brought and taken by Nagarbari seaport in this region at low cost easily. In 2018, the construction of Nagarbari seaport started on the bank of Yamuna river on 36 acres of land at a cost of Tk 563 crore. The four-year project was scheduled to be completed by June 2022. However, the period was extended twice due to various complications including lengthy procedures in land acquisition. About 90 percent of the project has been completed so far.
Once upon a time, goods were unloaded from ships on the banks of the river due to lack of port space. Although the work of the port is not completely finished, the port has already got a touch of modernity as the majority of it has been completed. Locals hope that if the work of this river port is completed 100%, the cost will decrease and employment will increase. Recently visiting the port, it can be seen that on the one hand the goods are being unloaded from the ship, on the other hand the construction work is progressing in parallel. The river port is full of workers. Workers unloading goods from various ships and loading them into trucks; Again the goods from the ship are loaded into trucks with the help of machines.
Mohidul Islam, a truck driver who is in the business of bringing and taking goods from Nagarbari, said, 'When the construction of the port is completed, the traffic of goods will increase, our work and income will increase.'
Shafiqul Islam, a local laborer, said, 'The construction of the river port has been going on for many days, but it is not finished yet. We want the work to be completed quickly. If the government increases the employment of the people here, it will be very beneficial.'
Meanwhile, the contractor has assured to finish the work at the earliest. Badrul Amin, project manager of contracting company SS Rahman Group said, 'The work is progressing rapidly. Earlier the time was extended twice due to land acquisition complications. Hopefully, there will be no need to extend the time. The work will be completed within the stipulated time in June 2025.'
Abdul Wakil, port officer of BIWTA of Nagarbari river port, said, “Modern equipment will be used here to clear the goods like modern sea port. This will increase the release of goods from the ship several times. At present two thousand tons of goods are being unloaded daily, at least 20 thousand tons of goods can be unloaded when the work of the port is completed; Besides, the revenue of the government will also increase.
