The only international naval protocol route in Bagerhat, Mongla-Ghashiakhali Channel, has been renamed as ‘Bangabandhu Mongla-Ghashiakhali (BMG) Canal’. This information has been given in a public statement signed by the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Mohammad Aminur Rahman.
It is said in the public statement that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave instructions to dig the Mongla-Ghashiakhali canal considering the importance of river routes of the country while he was in charge of the Ministry of Shipping. The canal was closed from 2010 to 2015 due to the navigability crisis. To keep the Mongla port operational, capital dredging was done to maintain the navigability of the canal under the direction of the Prime Minister. Later the canal became functional again. The Prime Minister inaugurated the channel on 27 October 2016 through a video conference.
The length of the Mongla-Ghashiakhali channel is 26 kilometres. The average width is 250 to 300 feet. At low tide, the channel is 16 feet deep. Since 27 October 2016, more than 2 lac vessels have been operating in this channel.
