CHATTOGRAM, Nov 16: Work on the deep-sea port at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar formally started on Monday.
"The foreign consultancy company for the dream project held a meeting with us today and started the work formally," chairman of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral S M Abul Kalam said while addressing a press briefing at the CPA conference hall this afternoon.
They signed an agreement with Nippon Koei Company on September 23 last, he said after holding the meeting with the consultancy firm.
"Building a deep-sea port to increase the capacity of Chattogram port was the demand of time. After completion of its construction work, a new economic belt will be developed from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar which will help boost our economy," he added.
CPA member and project director Mohammed Jafar Alam said, "We hope that we can start operating the deep-sea port in 2025 next. Despite the risk of coronavirus now, the Japanese company is working which is a positive sign for the progress of the project work."
After completing the project, a ship loaded with 8,000 to 1,000 containers can berth at the deep-sea port. Primarily, they are planning to handle around 0.8 million containers while the capacity of container handling will be increased in future, he added.
"We will construct 460-metre long jetty to be connected with the river way. Later, railway and roadway will be connected with the deep-sea port. I am hopeful that railway and roadway will be completed by 2026."
Mr Alam also said many ports can work under the management of one port. Deep-sea port at Matarbari is under the management of CPA.
"The process to set up the deep-sea port is progressing day by day. We have almost completed the construction of a channel in the sea area. We will expand the channel later as per our plan."
Team leader of Nippon Koei Company Hotani said, "We are working with responsibility. In the first phase, we will complete the design and civil work.
“In the second phase, we will collect handling equipment. We will use most modern Japanese technology to build the deep-sea port considering the risk of earthquake.”
Secretary of CPA Mohammed Omar Faruk and top officials were also present at the press conference.
nazim07@yahoo.com