The government is set to procure marine vessels for the Mongla Port in a bid to properly handle the growing number of ocean going ships.
The approval for the Tk 7.67 billion project came at the regular ECNEC meeting on Tuesday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC Conference Room in the city.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved seven projects in the day’s meeting involving an overall cost of Tk 44.6 billion as per a report on state-owned BSS agency.
‘Of the total cost, Tk 43.46 billion will be provided by the government while the rest of Tk 1.14 billion from concerned organisation’s own fund’, said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the approved projects, three are new while four others are revised projects, added he.
Mannan also said said the Mongla Port Authority, under the Ministry of Shipping, will implement the procurement of ancillary marine vessels project and it is expected to be completed by June 2022.
The main objectives of the project are to ensure safe channel at Mongla Port, properly handling the ocean going vessels and conducting emergency rescue operation during disasters and inclement weather.
The main project operations include procurement of one pilot mother vessel, two tugboats, one search and rescue vessel, one survey and research vessel, one laying vessel and other necessary equipments.
Once the project is implemented, the capacity of Mongla Port will increase a lot as this port is expected to handle 872,000 TEUs containers by 2025 which is expected to rise by 453.2 million TEUs by 2049 as well as more than 30,000 cars.
The other projects approved in the meeting are:
- Construction of border roads at Mymensingh and Netrakona portion, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 1.02 billion
- Matuail Sanitary Landfill expansion and land development, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 8.20 billion
- Construction of drains for addressing water logging at Rajshahi metropolis, 3rd phase, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 565.7 million
- Capacity Strengthening of Department of Livestock Services with Tk 2.21 billion
- Power Grid Network Strengthening Project under PGCB, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 23.03 billion
- Establishment of Sylhet, Lalmonirhat and Barishal Institute of Livestock Science and Technology with Tk 1.91 billon.
The Planning Minister further added that the government is also contemplating to upgrade all inter-district roads and regional highways into four-lanes, construction of necessary flyovers, and to construct roads along the entire bordering area of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister at the meeting also unveiled the cover of the annual report of the Planning Ministry for the last fiscal year (FY19).
Sheikh Hasina has opined to boost river communication with Asam of India, Bhutan and Nepal, said the Planning Minster.
The Premier also asked the Ministry of Shipping to keep special attention so that no dredging work is conducted along the River banks to evade erosion.
She also underscored the need for installing modern and latest scanner machines at the land ports and river ports so that no banned or illegal items could get access.
Ministers and State Ministers attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present.
