Even an announcement of Shipping Minister Col(Retd) Akbar Hossain at a meeting held at the port last year regarding its development through a private company remained unfulfilled.

A vested quarter who occupied a vast area illegally is also obstructing in way of its development. On a plea of existence of graves, 22 alleged land grabbers, in joint petitions to the port authorities and the prime minister urged for abandonment of the uplift plan.

'The export-import activities of the port started in 1996. It exceeded the targeted annual revenue earning although its infrastructural facilities are yet to be built', Satkhira Chamber of Commerce and industries president Sheikh Azahar Hossain told this correspondent.

An importer seeking anonymity said, 'It is a pity the port activities are going on in a three-room tin shade structure since its establishment', he lamented.

The district administration and the port authorities exchanged several letters during the entire period. Finally, the port authorities sent a revised proposal to the district administration to acquire 14.97 acres of lands.

According to Satkhira deputy commissioner (DC) Md Elias, the land acquisition is being delayed due to lack of coordination between the district administration and the Customs officials. 'Above all the Land Port authorities are lingering the process of acquisition of lands for the purpose,' he told The Daily Star.