Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, June 13, 2026 (BSS) - Sajedur Rahman, Member (Planning and Operations) of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Joint Secretary, on Friday inspected the Sultanganj river port in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi and expressed optimism about its early opening.

BIWTA Director A K M Arif Uddin accompanied him during the visit.

The BIWTA member toured the port office, cargo unloading facilities and the river channel to assess the overall condition and readiness of the port.

Speaking after the inspection, Sajedur said all conditions required for opening the river port had been fulfilled and necessary infrastructure was already in place.

"There are certain conditions to be met to open a river port. All those conditions have been fulfilled. A nice office has also been built here. I will inform the National Board of Revenue (NBR) about these matters and recommend that the port be opened as soon as possible," he said.

BIWTA Director Arif Uddin said all required facilities were available at the port and authorities were now awaiting final approval from the NBR.

"All kinds of facilities are available here. Now we are just waiting for the final approval from the NBR. Hopefully, the approval will come very soon," he said.

Local stone importer Aminul Islam said entrepreneurs had developed the necessary facilities at the port on their own initiative and cargo vessels had already been brought there.

He noted that lakhs of tonnes of stone are currently imported from India by road and rail at higher costs, while river transportation would be significantly cheaper.

"If we can bring stone by river, the cost will be much lower. In addition, this river route will play a major role in Bangladesh's economy," he said.

According to him, cargo vessels carrying 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes can navigate the route during the monsoon season, while vessels carrying 700 to 800 tonnes can operate during the dry season.

Trade once flourished along the river route between Sultanganj in Rajshahi and Dhulian in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, India. However, the route and river port were closed in 1965 following the India-Pakistan war and other factors.

According to officials, the distance between Sultanganj river port in Godagari and Maya river port in Murshidabad, India, is only 18 kilometres.

If the route is reopened, Bangladesh will be able to import cement raw materials, stone, marble, mineral sand and various food products from India, while textiles, fish, jute and jute products, along with agricultural goods, can be exported to India.

Businessmen believe the river route would significantly reduce transportation costs and time compared with existing road and rail-based trade through land ports, creating substantial benefits for bilateral trade and the country's economy.