50,000 tonnes capacity silo to be constructed at Mongla port

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The government will construct a concrete wheat-grain silo with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes at Joymonirgol in Mongla port area, as steps have been taken to make the under-utilised seaport fully operational, reports UNB.
The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting at Food and Disaster Management Ministry with Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzak in the chair Sunday.
Of the total government-imported food-grains, 40 per cent are unloaded at the Mongla port. "Unnecessary delay is caused in unloading commodities while the quantum of wastage during unloading is also greater for want of silo," the meeting was told.
Addressing the meeting, the minister said, "Our country at present has godowns with an aggregate capacity of storing only 1.5 million tonnes of grains, which is very inadequate for a 150 million strong population."
He said the construction of the new godown would help increase food security in the country.
Dr Razzak sought cooperation from the ministries concerned in ensuring other facilities along with the silo construction.
The meeting underscored steps to be taken by the ministries for ensuring various facilities for silo construction.
The silo-construction scheme was approved in an ECNEC meeting in 1997, but the decision was not implemented for various reasons.