Revised Bay Terminal plan sent to ministry for approval
WB is expected to provide Tk10,272cr
A revised action plan for the Bay Terminal in Chattogram has been submitted to the Ministry of Shipping for approval, with key components now integrated into a single initiative to streamline construction and operations.
Officials say the updated proposal includes the construction of a breakwater, a navigation access channel, and rail and road connectivity – crucial elements designed to enhance Bangladesh's maritime trade for the next century.
Under the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project (BTMIDP), the estimated costs are as follows: breakwater construction Tk8,269.85 crore, navigation access channel Tk1,979.45 crore, installation of navigation aids Tk57.7 crore, and connectivity infrastructure (rail and road) Tk3,434.68 crore.
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The World Bank is expected to contribute Tk10,272.4 crore, while the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) will provide Tk4,636.43 crore from its own funds. However, officials note that these figures may be subject to minor revisions before the final agreement is reached.
CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman said in a recent press briefing that the Bay Terminal project consists of five key components: Container Terminal-1, Container Terminal-2, a Multi-Purpose Terminal, Breakwater and Access Channel Construction, and Ancillary Facilities including roads and a service jetty.
"A Development Project Proposal (DPP) covering the breakwater, access channel, and ancillary facilities has already been sent to the ministry for approval. Once approved, a loan agreement with the World Bank will be finalised," he added.
According to Chattogram port officials, the project will double the handling capacity of the port and significantly reduce congestion in the city. Completion is expected between 2029 and 2030. Despite ongoing expansion efforts, including new terminals and yards, Chattogram port is projected to fall short of future trade demands, highlighting the urgency of the Bay Terminal's development.
They emphasised that previous attempts to implement different aspects of the project separately had led to delays and bureaucratic hurdles, which the new integrated approach aims to resolve.
The World Bank has already initiated the process to provide $650 million for the breakwater and channel construction.
An additional $192 million will be sought to develop railway and highway connections to the Bay Terminal, ensuring seamless connectivity to the rest of the country.
