Rezaul Karim
The government has decided to prepare a comprehensive plan to facilitate construction of the proposed Sirajganj economic zone, officials said.
The decision came at the meeting of the prime minister's office (PMO) in late November. Abul Kalam Azad, Senior Secretary to the (PMO) presided over the meeting.
"The ministry of water resources will prepare the plan through appointment of a consultant. The plan will be prepared to facilitate the Sirajganj economic zone building," a PMO official said.
The plan will cover the area of 16 kilometer area of the Jamuan rivar around which the sirajganj economic zone will be built, he said.
He said necessary digging work will be carried out in the river according to recommendations of the plan. Required roads will be constructed besides the bank of the river, he added.
He said overall ecosystem of the area will be developed in detail. The plan will also include the directions of use of filled land of the area.
A senior official of the water resources ministry said dredging and river training will be get priority in the plan.
An official of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) said some 16 kilometers will be dug in part of Sirajganj area. After completing the digging work, the authorities concerned will identify the necessary work.
He however said later, the authorities will work jointly for digging of 240 kilometers of the area.
Presently, a four-lane project name River Bank Improvement Project (RBIP) is under process to start from Kurigram district to Bangabandhu Bridge, the Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge. It is possible to construct necessary roads and dams by dredging on both sides of the river, an official of the water development board told the FE.
Under the Economic Zones Act 2010, government established the BEZA to regulate and oversee the new zones. In 2012, the BEZA started working on establishing economic zones in different areas of the country having the potential to contribute to the national economy.
In the first phase, the following sites have been selected: Mirsarai in Chittagong, Gohira in Anowara of Chittagong, Sirajganj, Sherpur in Moulvibazar and Mongla seaport area in Bagerhat.
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