CHITTAGONG. Mar 2: The Chittagong Port Authority has decided to impose penal rent on the port users to avoid congestion. with effect from March 10. reports UNB.

At present, some 17.000 TEUs containers against the capacity of 12.700 TEUs have been waiting at the port terminal for delivery.

The port congestion is attributed to frequent hartal, unscheduled holidays and reduction of delivery of goods following the introduction of PSI system.

An official of the port said that 10 more container-laden ships would arrive at the port within a week, and the problem would be intensify If the terminal was not cleared.

He also said if the unloaded goods were not delivered within 10 days, the port authority will impose four times more rent as

per the newly-introduced penal rent.

Meanwhile, a BSS report says: Mayor of Chittagong A B Mohiuddin Chowdhury on Wednesday said that construction of the proposed private port in the main outlay of the river Karnaphuli by Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) Bangladesh Ltd. would affect the Chittagong port.

Without a complete feasibility study, construction of any port at die proposed site will be harmful to the Chittagong port." the mayor said, while exchanging views at the Press Club auditorium here yesterday evening.

Chowdhury' said the move lor setting up the private port Is also contrary to the Chittagong Pori Authority (CPA) Ordinance. as the proposed site is located within the ambit of the

exiting port.

Organised by the Chittagong Port Development Forum, the discussion was participated, among others, by President of Chittagong Chamber of Com mcrce and Industry Kamalud-din Ahmed. Chamber Director M Salimullah. President of Chittagong Press Club Abu Su-flan. Secretary Faroque Iqbal. Dr A Q M Serajul Islam and Journalist Hclaluddin Chowdhury.

CPA Forum President engineer Mahmud-ul-Islam presided over the meeting.

Chowdhury proposed alternative sites for construction of the private port at Kutubdia. Fouzderhat. Gohira or Mo-heskhali.

The mayor said that the construction of the private port or jetty as per proposal of the SSA, Bangladesh Ltd. wouk not only harm the navigation

channel but would also Inflict a loss of Taka 107 crore on the Chittagong port per year while thousands of workers would be jobless.

Mohiuddin Chowdhury said construction of the private port by SSA would endanger national security, as Important establishments like the Naval base, oil installations and International airport are located near the proposed site.

The Chamber president, who is also the convenor of the port users welcoming foreign investment. said wc should not directly oppose the construction of the private port before locating the problems.

If there is any threat to the security of the important establishments like the airport or naval base, the concerned authorities must think over it. the Chamber president added.