Work on Tk 180m Barisal River Port Dev Project begins next month

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BARISAL, Nov 14 (UNB): Work on Barisal River Port Development Project will begin next month at a cost of about Tk 180 million (18 crore) after procrastination of over a half century since 1964.
Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on October 14 this year.
150 years old Barisal River Port is the second largest and one of the most profitable ports of the country.
Official sources said a tender of Tk 30 million would be floated within this month for construction of a modernised terminal building at the port under the project.
The project work would be officially inaugurated by Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan next month. The work is scheduled to be finished within June 30, 2011, said Zulhasuddin Ahmed, project director and superintending engineer of Barisal BIWTA.
The project included construction of a three-storied modern terminal building on 1,554 square metre land, 1500 square metre parking yard, 1200 metre steel boundary and retaining wall, 714 metre walkway, 1,000 square metre cargo shed, 400 square metre transit cargo shed, six 120 feet long pontoons with modern loading and unloading facilities, four steel gangway, passenger lounge and waiting room with health and sanitation facilities, development and maintenance of navigability by regular dredging and beautification of the terminal and adjacent areas of the port.
A fund of Tk 30 million would also be placed under separate heads for regular dredging of the river port to keep it navigable round the year, said Acting Shipping Secretary M Abdul Mannan Hawlader.
He visited the port recently accompanied by high officials of BIWTA and BIWTC, leaders of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Launch Owners Association.