CCCI and CDA exchange views on Ctg master plan

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 26: The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) have jointly arranged a view-exchange meeting on 'Chittagong Master Plan Formulation' at Bangabandhu Conference Hall, World Trade Center (WTC) in the port city on Saturday.

CCCI president Omar Hazzaz presided over the meeting while MA Latif MP from Chittagong-11 constituency was present as the chief guest.

CDA Chairman Zahirul Alam Dobash attended the function as a special guest.

Addressing the meeting, MA Latif MP said, "Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invested a lot to transform Bangladesh into a trillion dollar economy and to build a Smart Bangladesh by the year 2041."

"Matarbari will become the lifeline of Dhaka, Chattogram's economy through deepsea port. Chattogram will turn into an international logistics hub of the region," he observed.

He said, "If the direct road is extended from the south end of Bangabandhu Tunnel to East Anwara to Banshkhali-Chakaria-Pekua-Matarbari deepsea port, the distance from Chittagong to Matarbari deepsea port will decrease by about 40 kilometres."

He also said, "The existing Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway will increase mobility especially in passenger and cargo transportation as a mutual alternative which will simultaneously reduce fuel consumption by Tk 210billion (Tk 21,000) annually."

"As Chattogram is the main port city and investment hub of the country, the interest of foreign investors is increasing in Chattogram now. But there is no permanent convention centre or exhibition center here," he commented.

"Recently, I have proposed in Jatiya Sangsad to make an international standard convention centre on 20 acres of land on the south side of the Bay Terminal. At the same time, I hope that the Chittagong Chamber will implement it like the World Trade Center. It is important to incorporate this issue in the master plan," MA Latif MP said.

The speakers discussed views of various government agencies, especially Chittagong Port, Bangladesh Railway, WASA, which have many land assets in Chattogram as well as the master plan of self-owned institutions to be attached to the new master plan. They stressed the need for capacity building of CDA as a regulatory institution, increasing open green space and mass communication.

The speakers also underscored the need for formulating a master plan for a scenic Chattogram, including waste management and drainage system.

Among others, former president of the CCCI Engineer Ali Ahmed, First Vice-president of BGMEA Syed Nazrul Islam, BSRM Group Managing Director Amir Ali Hussain, former Director of CCCI Amirul Haque, Chairman of The Peninsula Chittagong Mahbub Rahman Ruhel, IAB-Chittagong Chairman Architect Ashiq Imran, Engineers Institute of Bangladesh Former President Engineer Mohammad Delwar Hossain, CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams, Master Plan Formulation Project Director Urban Planner Abu Isa Ansari, BKMEA Director Fauzul Imran Khan and Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Vice President Md Reza Uddin Khan addressed the meeting.

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