RAJSHAHI, Oct 14: An international river port will be built in Rajshahi by dredging the river Padma to boost trade and investment in the region.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who completed his two years in office on October 5, has taken an initiative to this end.
On implementation of the project, the business activities in the region will get a big boost.
Apart from this, various development work is also being implemented under the leadership of Mayor AHM Khairuzzman Liton to give Rajshahi city and its suburban areas a new look and provide better facilities to the city dwellers.
Apart from developing infrastructure and connectivity, the mayor, during his first two years in office, has also taken steps to establish three industrial estates in Rajshahi to create jobs.
One of them is being set up under the BSCIC project-2 at Kechutoil under Parila Union of Paba upazila at a cost of Tk 1.72 billion.
Steps are also underway to establish Leather Industry Park and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park, which will generate 14,000 jobs.
The city has seen many development projects, including flyover, wide roads, attractive footpaths, better drainage system, road dividers having flowering plants, and bright lighting systems at all city crossings.
Moreover, Tk 30 billion development projects for the city are in the pipeline.
After taking over as mayor, Khairuzzaman Liton focused on making Rajshahi a clean, developed and liveable city. He also took steps to ensure discipline, transparency and accountability of the RCC.
Under his leadership, Rajshahi city turned into a green city and won the prestigious award 'Environment-Friendly City of the Year-2020'.
A number of projects, including construction of the Alif Lam Meem Bhata to Bihas four-lane road, a flyover, a four-lane road from Alupatty to Talaimari, a road from Monichattar to Sadar Hospital, a four-lane road from Bilsimla rail crossing to Kasiadanga crossing, and Upasahar to Sagarpara crossing road, are in progress.
Other projects include construction of a 16-storied commercial building near Sona Dighi and beautification of the areas around the Sona Dighi.
Recently, a project titled 'Coordinated City Infrastructure Development' involving Tk 29.31 billion was approved by the ECNEC.
The project work includes repair of all city roads, construction of new roads, construction of drains and development of graveyards.
Currently, construction of drains in the city is going on, which will help ease the problem of waterlogging.
To restore the beauty of the Padma riverside, the mayor has constructed various establishments, including Lalon Shah Muktomancho and Padma garden, which are now major recreation spots in the city.
In observance of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the RCC took up various programmes -- setting up of a Bangabandhu Corner at Nagar Bhaban, publication of a book entitled 'Uttar Bangey Bangabandhu' and painting of murals of Bangabandhu in various places of the city.
Liton also took steps to introduce a non-stop Rajshahi-Dhaka train service, namely the 'Bonolata Express'. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the service through a video conference with Liton.
The mayor is also working towards setting up an agriculture university in Rajshahi while several new schools are being built under the RCC.
The Hazrat Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi is being upgraded to an international airport and a five-star hotel is being constructed in Rajshahi.
At the initiatives of the mayor, 109 destitute families were provided with concrete houses.