The government has decided to enlist Moheshkhali-Matarbari integrated infrastructure development initiative as a 'fast track' project to quicken its implementation, sources said.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) recently formed a high-profile body to coordinate the development works in the area, they added.
Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs at PMO Abul Kalam Azad will lead the 14-member committee. It also comprises the secretaries of PMO, Power Division, Energy Division, water ministry, Road transport and highways Division, shipping ministry, industries ministry, commerce ministry and Local Government Division, and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) executive chairman, among others.
The committee has been asked to oversee and monitor the overall infrastructural development works in Moheshkhali-Matarbari area.
According to officials, once a project is enlisted as a 'fast track' one, PMO closely monitors its implementation progress and provides necessary supports for removing bottlenecks in its completion.
The government also keeps special allocation for the 'fast track' projects in the budget.
In the current fiscal year the government has kept nearly Tk 306 billion for six 'fast track' projects, which include - Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Padma Bridge, Padma Rail Link, Matarbari Coal-fired Power Plant, Metro Rail, and Dohazari-Cox's Bazar-Gundum Rail Project.
There are nearly 10 mega projects that the government has enlisted as 'fast track' ones, considering the necessity of their quick implementation for fostering economic development of the country.
Officials said in Moheshkhali-Matarbari area several large projects are under implementation and some are at planning stage.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated on January 28 development activities in Matarbari area by unveiling the foundation plaque of a 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding construction of the power plant.
Under the mega development plans, several power plants, coal handling jetties, deep-seaport, single point mooring (SPM) for quick unloading of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, and some other projects will be implemented in the area, developing it into a large energy-hub, they added.
JICA is conducting a comprehensive transport plan between Dhaka and Moheshkhali-Matarbari area for transportation of goods to and from the proposed deep-seaport there. The areas will be connected with Dhaka through rail, road and inland waterways to facilitate smooth transportation.
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