Govt suspends deep-sea port plan for fund constraints
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Shipping and Communications Adviser MA Matin Monday said the caretaker government has suspended construction of the proposed deep-sea port considering the huge involvement of fund, reports UNB.
"It will involve Tk 420 billion (42,000 crore) and it would be complete in 2055…
So, the present government does not intend to step into such a gigantic task considering the huge involvement of money," he told reporters after a monthly review meeting of the Shipping Ministry.
The previous government had initiated in 2005 the plan for a deep-sea port to ease the pressure on Chittagong port in handling containers and cargoes.
Pacific Consultants International, a Japanese firm appointed by the government last year, named Akram point in Khulna, and Maheskhali and Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar as possible sites for the proposed deep-sea port.
Pacific Consultants, appointed to conduct a techno-economic feasibility study for the deep-sea port, has so far submitted review and analysis reports on the present situation of Chittagong and Mongla ports, port administration model and public-private participation model, assessment of market and business opportunities, and the proposed sites.
The Adviser said the meeting decided to seek recommendations from BUET on removing sediments from the Karnaphuli River and send a proposal on commissioning a riverine route around Dhaka City to the Planning Commission for its approval. The meeting also decided to find out the reason as to why no tender was submitted to remove sediments from the riverbed of Pashur.
Asked for his comment on ex-Communication Minister Nazmul Huda's statement that Adviser Matin is taking action against him out of his personal grudge, the Shipping and Communications Adviser said he has no resentment against Huda. He reiterated that the government was not harassing anyone on political grounds.
"It will involve Tk 420 billion (42,000 crore) and it would be complete in 2055…
So, the present government does not intend to step into such a gigantic task considering the huge involvement of money," he told reporters after a monthly review meeting of the Shipping Ministry.
The previous government had initiated in 2005 the plan for a deep-sea port to ease the pressure on Chittagong port in handling containers and cargoes.
Pacific Consultants International, a Japanese firm appointed by the government last year, named Akram point in Khulna, and Maheskhali and Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar as possible sites for the proposed deep-sea port.
Pacific Consultants, appointed to conduct a techno-economic feasibility study for the deep-sea port, has so far submitted review and analysis reports on the present situation of Chittagong and Mongla ports, port administration model and public-private participation model, assessment of market and business opportunities, and the proposed sites.
The Adviser said the meeting decided to seek recommendations from BUET on removing sediments from the Karnaphuli River and send a proposal on commissioning a riverine route around Dhaka City to the Planning Commission for its approval. The meeting also decided to find out the reason as to why no tender was submitted to remove sediments from the riverbed of Pashur.
Asked for his comment on ex-Communication Minister Nazmul Huda's statement that Adviser Matin is taking action against him out of his personal grudge, the Shipping and Communications Adviser said he has no resentment against Huda. He reiterated that the government was not harassing anyone on political grounds.