Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Chattogram Custom House for its slow progress in clearing auctionable goods and vehicles piled up in various yards and auction sheds at the Chattogram port.

He warned that action would be taken if the customs authority does not address the issue in two months.

The adviser expressed his frustration during a visit to the port's auction and car sheds today morning.

While there, he met with Chattogram Customs House Joint Commissioner Mohammad Marufur Rahman and questioned the lack of noticeable progress in clearing auctionable goods, despite directions given during his initial visit to the port three months ago.

In response, the customs official explained that several pending cases were delaying the auction process for certain consignments.

However, Rahman assured the adviser that steps would be taken to expedite the auction of import containers and vehicles without legal obstacles.

Speaking to journalists after the visit, the adviser said, "The condition of auctionable containers here is nearly the same as it was during my first visit in early October. Although the customs authority has auctioned some goods during this period, the pace is extremely slow. At this rate, the backlog of auctionable cargo will not be cleared within the next three months."

He added, "The customs authority has committed to clearing the backlog by February 28, and I have agreed to this deadline."

The adviser also warned that he had instructed the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) to take unilateral action against the customs authority if the deadline was not met.

CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk noted that approximately 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of containers, scrap materials, and a number of cars are currently lying in various yards and sheds awaiting auction.

This backlog is disrupting smooth port operations.