The Chattogram Customs House has taken an initiative to destroy 126 containers containing 3,268 metric tonnes of unauctionable, substandard and expired goods that have been lying at Chattogram Port for a long time.

The goods include 34 containers of substandard dates, 40 containers of expired soda ash and 18 containers of expired feed-grade limestone, besides other perishable and damaged products such as oranges, onions and cashew nuts, according to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Tuesday.

The destruction began at 10am on Monday at a designated site behind the Chattogram Port Republic Club and is continuing uninterrupted, the release said.

Members of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar and the local port police are present at the site to ensure security and provide necessary assistance during the disposal process.

The NBR said the environmentally safe destruction of the perishable and harmful goods would make an important contribution to reducing container congestion at Chattogram Port.

It said the initiative was being carried out in cooperation with the relevant agencies to ensure the overall security of the port and protect the environment.

The destruction of auction-ineligible and disposable goods that have remained at the port for an extended period will continue on an urgent basis in phases, the NBR said.

The initiative is expected to help free up space at the country’s premier seaport and improve its operational efficiency.

Earlier on Monday, Customs House announced an e-auction for 442 containers of auctionable goods.