Deal on Payra Port master plan today

FE Team | Published: February 13, 2019 23:29:57

Payra Port Authority (PPA) will sign an agreement with Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) today (Thursday) for 'Consultancy Services for Preparation of Payra Port Detailed Master Plan' and overall development of the 3rd seaport of the country, reports BSS.
The Tk 1.25 billion consultancy proposal of BRTC, BUET in association with internationally recognised port consultant Royal HaskoningDHV has been approved by the Prime Minister, said PPA Chairman M Jahangir Alam.
Talking to BSS, he said preparations for the Master plan with related reports and documents will be completed by the consultant within 18 months. Sources said 29 BUET professors and 61 experts of Royal HaskoningDHV will be employed during execution of the contract.
Payra Port is the 3rd seaport of the country on the bank of Rabnabad channel of Patuakhali district in the south of the country. Payra Port is one of the "10 Fast Track" projects, which is being implemented by the government with top priority.
Under a mid-term-plan, the PPA will implement construction of first terminal, capital dredging of Ramnabad Channel, coal and dry bulk terminal, multipurpose terminal through the 3rd Indian Line of Credit (LOC), sources said.
In the long-term-plan, the PPA plans to implement transshipment terminal, deep-water container terminal, offshore terminal or supply base, core port infrastructure, renewable power generation, housing, education health facilities, procurement of Towage Harbour Tugs and internal ferry terminal etc.
Other necessary infrastructures like air port, rail connectivity, ship yard and ship repair facility, LNG and Liquid Bulk Terminal will be built by other ministries concerned.
For each of above components, the consultant will deliver Feasibility Study Report, ESIA (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment).
The Detailed Port Master Plan will be developed by the consultants through Topographic Surveys, Site Investigations and Modeling Studies. Exact location of terminals and all necessary port Components and infrastructures will be sketched on the Master Plan.
In case of both mid and long term projects of the PPA, priority and implementation strategy of components will be finalised on the basis of the master plan reports. The most useful aspect of the master plan is documentation of the Feasibility Study Report, ESIA, etc.
"In future, the Payra Port will be the leader in sea borne trade in terms of efficiency and competitiveness by adopting development strategy including port smartification and technology. The master Plan Report will be significantly helpful in adopting plans for socio-economic and industrial development encircling Payra Port," said Mr. Jahangir.
Ultimately, this port will make southern part of Bangladesh economically vibrant, he added.