Govt takes Tk 4.92b projects to upgrade Mongla port, JS told

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Monday that the government had given priority for developing and modernising country's second largest sea port Mongla and already taken up 10 projects for it, reports BSS. "The projects with an estimated cost of Tk 4.92 billion are being implemented to make the port fully operative as early as possible," he said replying to a question raised by lawmaker Begum Salma Islam in the House. The minister said a total of Tk 5.90 million has been allocated in the budget of 2010-2011 fiscal under annual development programme (ADP) for those projects. Besides, there is a plan to implement another five projects estimated cost of Tk 18.03 billion for this port under sixth five-year plan, he said. The projects are: Procurement of equipment for cargo handling, navigational aids to the port, dredging at outer bay of Pashur river channel, dredging at harbour area of Pashur channel, procurement of cutter suction dredger and pilot boat, port and logistic efficiency improvement. Besides, the minister said, more projects will be implemented for constructing different main roads and by-passes, jetty, yard and approach roads and solar panel for generating power.