Payra Port likely to be fully operational by early 2027: Shipping minister

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today (22 April) told parliament that the Payra Port is expected to be fully operational by early 2027 following completion of the unfinished works.

"Once these works are completed, that means the port is expected to be fully operational at the beginning of next year," he said while replying to a scripted question from treasury bench member ABM Mosharrof Hossain (Patuakhali-4).

The minister said that, as the first seaport in post-independence Bangladesh in 2015, a Techno-Economic Feasibility Study for the construction of Payra Port was completed by UK-based consultancy HR Wallingford, reports UNB.

He said two long-term projects were undertaken in 2016 to acquire land and rehabilitate the affected people in 2019, and to construct the first terminal of Payra Port, including connecting roads and bridges. "The two projects will be completed in July and December this year, respectively," he said.

Rabiul said the construction of a 1180-m four-lane bridge over the Andharmanik River and a 6.35-km six-lane terminal connection road to connect the port's jetty to the Dhaka-Kuakata Road is almost at its final stage and will be completed by December 2026.

He, however, said the channel called 'Rabnabad Channel' for entering the port is currently not deep enough for commercial ships to enter.

He further said that dredging will have to be done to open the port, and since the area is prone to silting, dredging will have to be continued uninterruptedly throughout the year.

Currently, the government is considering a project proposal for dredging the Rabnabad Channel for two years and purchasing two Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD) during this period, he added.

21,982 illegal river grabbers identified nationwide

The shipping minister also said that 21,982 individuals have illegally occupied rivers across the country, adding that district-wise lists will be published online before launching eviction drives.

Responding to a question from Cumilla-4 lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah, the minister said deputy commissioners have been instructed to publish the lists on their respective websites and submit action plans for removing illegal encroachments.

He said the updated list, prepared by National River Conservation Commission, will guide coordinated eviction drives involving local administrations, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and other relevant agencies.

Earlier, in his question, Hasnat noted that despite court rulings declaring rivers as living entities, no major eviction drives had been conducted against around 5,000 illegal occupiers listed by National River Conservation Commission.

He also asked about the challenges faced by the government and the steps taken to address them.

In response, the minister said the commission was established on 5 August 2014 under the National River Conservation Commission Act 2013, following directives from the High Court in a writ petition filed in 2009 to prevent river encroachment and pollution.

He added that in another ruling in 2019, the High Court declared all rivers, including the Turag River, as living entities and recognised the commission as their legal guardian.

Highlighting challenges, Robiul Alam said the commission currently lacks the authority to conduct eviction drives.

"According to the National River Conservation Commission Act 2013, the commission does not have the power to conduct eviction drives, making it difficult to remove illegal encroachments on rivers and canals," he said.