E. S. B. Bhombal facts for kids
Ebrahim Shaik Baba Bhombal was a very important Pakistani civil servant and a master mariner. He was the first Indian harbor pilot in British India. He worked as an officer in the British Merchant Navy. In 1931, he became a pilot for the Karachi Port Trust. During World War II, he joined the Royal Indian Navy. He worked as a Dock Master in Karachi. After the war, he became the Harbour Master there. In 1949, the Pakistani government asked him to help develop Chittagong Port. This port was in East Bengal, which is now Bangladesh. In 1950, he helped create a second port in East Bengal called Chalna. Chalna Port was Pakistan's third port and the first new one after the country became independent. Later, Bhombal became the Port Director at Chalna.
Bhombal trained in the Royal Indian Marine. He earned his Second Mate Certificate for foreign voyages. In 1929, he got his Master Mariner Certificate in the United Kingdom. He joined the British Merchant Navy. Soon, he became a Chief Officer and then the Master of a ship. He also held a special British Extra Master Certificate.
Working at Karachi Port
In 1931, Bhombal was hired by the Karachi Port Trust. This was a big deal because he was the first Indian pilot ever appointed in India. He was the only Indian person who applied for the job. His application was discussed a lot by the Trust members. They had four meetings about it, and decisions were put off many times. Finally, on October 23, 1931, some European members voted for Bhombal. This allowed him to get the job.
During World War II, he joined the Royal Indian Navy. He worked as a Dock Master at Karachi Port. After the war ended, he was promoted to Harbour Master in Karachi.
Helping Chittagong Port Grow
In July 1949, the Pakistan Ministry of Communications asked Bhombal for his help. They wanted him to be a special officer to develop Chittagong Port in East Pakistan. Just two weeks after he arrived, he was given the job of Deputy Conservator. His duties included guiding ships in and out of the port. He also had to train other people.
Besides these tasks, Bhombal successfully set up five large moorings. Moorings are places where ships can safely anchor. These new moorings greatly increased the port's capacity. This meant Chittagong Port could handle twice as many large ships. Before this, the port only had six berths and one mooring. Bhombal also set up many smaller moorings. These were for small coastal ships in the Karnaphuli River.
Starting Chalna Port
After studying the Pasur River in 1948, the Pakistani government decided to build a new port. This new port at Chalna would help Chittagong Port. The Communications Ministry chose Bhombal to organize and start this big new project. The government announced that Chalna Anchorage would open on December 8, 1950. Bhombal arrived in Khulna on October 4. Thanks to the hard work of Bhombal and his team, the port unofficially opened on December 11.
Bhombal became the Port Director and Conservator of the new port. His title was "Officer-in-Charge." In 1954, the main office for the Port Directorate moved a few miles downstream to Mongla.
