Govt has master plan to develop S region: PM

PATUAKHALI, Oct 27 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday the government has a master plan to develop the southern region of the country as it remained neglected.
"This region has been neglected so much...we've an aim to create huge jobs here. So, we've a master plan over this region," she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing a civic rally at 1300 MW Kolapara Power Plant after opening a rehabilitation centre, 'Swapner Thikana', and newly constructed houses for the people affected in the project area.
Sheikh Hasina said a naval base and a cantonment are being constructed in this area where there will be an air base in the southern part of the country.
"We've chosen the southern part as this area always lags behind," she said.
Hasina mentioned that a place has been selected for setting up ship-building and recycling yards to accelerate employment and economic activities here.
The Prime Minister said the government is looking for another island in this area to construct the second nuclear power plant.
"We're conducting a feasibility study. The people of the Atomic Energy Commission are looking for that. We'll construct the second nuclear power plant in the southern part of the country. We have that plan," she said.
The Prime Minister said the present government has a plan to generate 30,000 MW power in the southern part of the country.
She mentioned that another 1,320 MW power plant would be constructed by the same company-Northwest Power Generation Company-in the southern part.
Sheikh Hasina said she instructed the authorities concerned to construct a cyclone centre in the power plant area for shelter of local people during any natural disaster.
She also said that all rivers in the region would be dredged to improve their navigability.
The Prime Minister urged the people to cast their vote for 'boat' to continue the development activities of the country saying Bangladesh would be a poverty-free country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.
Mahbubur Rahman, MP, also spoke at the programme.
On her arrival, Sheikh Hasina visited Payra Power Plant project and houses in the 'Swapner Thikana'.
She also distributed keys and registration papers among the rehabilitated 130 families. The Prime Minister also inaugurated 16 development projects of different areas of Patuakhali district.
The projects are: construction work of a five-storey girls' hostel and academic-cum-examination hall of Patuakhali Government College, construction work of four-storey academic buildings of Hazi Akkel Ali Hawlader College, Ishak Model Degree College, Kuakata Khanabad College, Muktijoddha Memorial College, Alhaj Jalal Uddin College, Subidkhali Degree College and construction work of four-storey academic building of Dumki Janata Degree college, hundred per cent electrification of Dumki upazila, Mirzaganj 33/11 kv power substation, Sheikh Hasina Sarak at Payra Port and service jetty, mosque, officers' guest house and staff dormitory of Payra Port.