Parliamentary body for speedy completion of projects to enhance Mongla Port’s capacity

Mongla Port earned a net profit of Tk115 crore in the last fiscal year; according to the standing committee on shipping ministry, if its 10 ongoing development projects are implemented, its capacity would increase three to four fold.

During its 24th meeting on Monday, the committee called for expediting the projects undertaken by the port priorities.

The development projects include constructing an economic zone near the port, building railway lines from Mongla to Kolkata in India via Nepal and Bhutan, and setting up necessary link roads to enhance regional connectivity.

The other projects are expansion of two jetties with container facilities, set-up of a 600-metre parking yard, a multistorey car park building, a four-lane six-km road with a drainage system and a shipyard, and purchase of modern machinery to facilitate handling of cargo and containers.

During the meeting, the committee also stressed on the importance of setting up a trauma centre at every port across the country and a 5-10 bed hospital at the Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chattogram.

Furthermore, the committee members placed emphasis on the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), face masks and accessories as precautionary measures in the event of an unforeseen incident during the unloading of imported toxic substances from foreign ships.

The committee discussed the matter with the ministry concerned on an urgent basis and recommended actions accordingly.

Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam, chairman of the standing committee, presided over the meeting held at the parliament building.

Committee members, Shahjahan Khan, Ranjit Kumar Roy, Dr Samil Uddin Ahmed Shimul, Md Aslam Hossain Saudagar and SM Shahzada were in attendance.

Secretary of the shipping ministry, chairmen of Mongla and Payra ports, and officials of the shipping ministry and the parliament secretariat also participated in the meeting.