Equipment failure disrupts cargo handling at Chittagong Airport
Shah Amanat International Airport, the country's second-largest international airport, has been facing significant disruptions for nearly three months due to the breakdown of its import cargo scanners. The issue, which has been reported to higher authorities, has caused delays in cargo clearance, mounting demurrage charges for importers, and raised concerns about potential gaps for international crime networks to exploit.
The problem began on May 29 when the airport's only import cargo scanner broke down. Since then, customs officials have been relying on manual inspections, a process that has significantly slowed down cargo handling. This manual process has also led to complaints from migrant workers about damaged personal belongings and reports of cartons being slit open and their contents hastily repacked during inspections.
Importers are facing delays in cargo clearance and mounting demurrage charges as a result of the manual inspections. The situation is not just about inconvenience, but also about potential security risks. Retired Major Md Emdadul Islam, a security expert, warns that the lack of scanners increases the risk of smuggling, illegal imports, and security breaches.
The breakdown of the scanners is also causing trade losses. Passengers and traders are reporting serious disruptions due to this situation. The problem has even reached the point where customs officials borrowed an unused export scanner as a temporary solution, which also collapsed on July 17.
Pradip Das, the outgoing assistant commissioner of customs at Shah Amanat airport, has confirmed that a solution is expected soon. However, there is no publicly available information regarding the repair status of the import-specific scanners at the airport.
The breakdown of the scanners not only affects passenger service but also the country's reputation and security. It is crucial that the issue is addressed promptly to prevent further disruptions and potential security risks.
