Mahipur fish landing station now operational

The Mahipur fish landing station in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali has become operational with eight fishing trawlers anchoring at its pontoons since Saturday.

The station, standing on one acre of land, was inaugurated in September 2021 but remained dormant due to the lack of space and coordination between traders and the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC).

As a result, the government has been deprived of at least Tk 5 crore revenue in the meantime.

Monir Hossain, owner of the Mahipur fishery warehouse, said traders have started using the station even though there is a space shortage as authorities have taken initiatives to address the issue.

Raju Ahmed Raja, general secretary of the Mahipur Fishery Warehouse Owners Association, said traders can enjoy the station's facilities by paying a service charge of 1.25 per cent on sales.

Shakil Ahmed, manager of the BFDC office in Mahipur, said more temporary sheds are being constructed at the station, which features a platform and gangway, auction area, packaging area, storage room, ice mill, generator room, office building, truck stand, sanitation facilities and more.