First phase of deep seaport work to be completed by 2017: PM
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the House Wednesday that a technical and economic survey had already been completed to set up deep seaport at Sonadia in Cox's Bazar, reports BSS.
"As setting up of the seaport at Sonadia is feasible according to the survey, the government has decided to establish the deep seaport there," the Leader of the House said while replying to a written question during the PM's question-answer session.
She also said the work on appointing a consulting firm for framing a detailed design of the port is going on. Besides, she said, the work on formulating a law for establishing an autonomous body named 'Deep Seaport Authority' is also on.
The Prime Minister said an estimated cost of Tk 140 billion (14,000 crore) has been earmarked for construction of the seaport and added that its first phase work will be completed by 2017.
With the setting up of the deep seaport, she said, large ships could anchor at the port and foreign trade will be simplified and cost-effective.
Besides, she said, China, Myanmar and India can use the port, boosting the revenue income of the country.
The Prime Minister said a feasibility study financed by the government was conducted in 2001 for construction of 128 meter gauge single rail line from Dohazari of Chittagong to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum.
"Proposals seeking financial assistances for the project were also sent to different countries and development partners," she said.
She said that a 'loan proposal form' had been sent to the Chinese government for its concessional loan and the Chinese government had showed a positive attitude towards financing the project.
Hasina also told the JS that her government had taken various programmes including construction of elevated expressway and flyovers to reduce the city's traffic congestion.
"We have undertaken programmes to construct flyovers at different points in the city and elevated expressway along with water ways around the city for reducing city's unbearable traffic jam," she said.
Replying to a supplementary the PM said her present government has undertaken programmes for expansion of meter gauge in the country's northern region and purchase more locomotives as part of improving the rail transportation in the country.
Responding to another supplementary, Hasina said her government has already purchased 200 new buses and more buses would be bought soon to discourage private cars on the streets.
Referring to wide spread allegation that taxi cabs are now being used in snatching, she said her government would take stern steps against the taxi cab owners found guilty in snatching.
Hasina further said that the government had undertaken an extensive plan in the agriculture, education, health, communication, infrastructure, power and gas, environment and other socio-economic sectors to further raise peoples' living standard by providing more facilities.
She said activities of the newly created Rangpur Division have already started. Through a decision at the NICAR meeting on January 25 this year, Rangpur Division was created and a gazette notification was published to this effect on March 90.
A total of 84 temporary posts were created for the newly created Rangpur Division and Divisional Commissioner while two Additional Divisional Commissioners were appointed on May 17 this year, she said.
"As setting up of the seaport at Sonadia is feasible according to the survey, the government has decided to establish the deep seaport there," the Leader of the House said while replying to a written question during the PM's question-answer session.
She also said the work on appointing a consulting firm for framing a detailed design of the port is going on. Besides, she said, the work on formulating a law for establishing an autonomous body named 'Deep Seaport Authority' is also on.
The Prime Minister said an estimated cost of Tk 140 billion (14,000 crore) has been earmarked for construction of the seaport and added that its first phase work will be completed by 2017.
With the setting up of the deep seaport, she said, large ships could anchor at the port and foreign trade will be simplified and cost-effective.
Besides, she said, China, Myanmar and India can use the port, boosting the revenue income of the country.
The Prime Minister said a feasibility study financed by the government was conducted in 2001 for construction of 128 meter gauge single rail line from Dohazari of Chittagong to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum.
"Proposals seeking financial assistances for the project were also sent to different countries and development partners," she said.
She said that a 'loan proposal form' had been sent to the Chinese government for its concessional loan and the Chinese government had showed a positive attitude towards financing the project.
Hasina also told the JS that her government had taken various programmes including construction of elevated expressway and flyovers to reduce the city's traffic congestion.
"We have undertaken programmes to construct flyovers at different points in the city and elevated expressway along with water ways around the city for reducing city's unbearable traffic jam," she said.
Replying to a supplementary the PM said her present government has undertaken programmes for expansion of meter gauge in the country's northern region and purchase more locomotives as part of improving the rail transportation in the country.
Responding to another supplementary, Hasina said her government has already purchased 200 new buses and more buses would be bought soon to discourage private cars on the streets.
Referring to wide spread allegation that taxi cabs are now being used in snatching, she said her government would take stern steps against the taxi cab owners found guilty in snatching.
Hasina further said that the government had undertaken an extensive plan in the agriculture, education, health, communication, infrastructure, power and gas, environment and other socio-economic sectors to further raise peoples' living standard by providing more facilities.
She said activities of the newly created Rangpur Division have already started. Through a decision at the NICAR meeting on January 25 this year, Rangpur Division was created and a gazette notification was published to this effect on March 90.
A total of 84 temporary posts were created for the newly created Rangpur Division and Divisional Commissioner while two Additional Divisional Commissioners were appointed on May 17 this year, she said.