Bangladesh-China meeting on modernization of Mongla Seaport

Rtv news

Publish : 06 Jul 2024, 11:19 PM

Photo: Collected

Mongla is the second largest seaport in the country. The government has taken initiatives to increase and modernize the facilities of this important seaport in South Asia.

As a part of this, various activities including jetty construction and container yard construction have been undertaken. However, implementation activities cannot be started due to various reasons including geo-political complications.

The government was hoping for getting financing support from the Chinese Government in the project titled 'Expansion and Modernization of Mongla Port Facilities'. However, possibly due to the pressure exerted on Bangladesh by India, this project has been pending since last September.

During the upcoming Prime Minister's visit to China, the high-level meeting of the two countries may remove the obstacle to the modernization of Mongla Port.

In this matter to take Shipping Ministry's opinion several times have been approached but concerned authority do not like to comment at all in this regard.

Upon request from Bangladesh, China International Development Cooperation Agency’s (CIDCA’s) gave preliminary approval of a project titled 'Expansion and Modernization of Mongla Port Facilities' on 14 December 2022.

The Prime Minister has approved the project to increase the capacity of Mongla Port. The implementation of the project will cost BDT 4, 282.76 crore. Out of this, BDT 500.39 crore will be spent from government funds and BDT3,782.36 crore from Chinese soft loans. The project will be implemented by Mongla Port Authority by June 2027 starting from this year.

According to the Ministry of Shipping, Mongla Port is in a convenient position for handling cargo from the border areas of various Asian countries in terms of geographical location. In particular, the use of the port as a transit point is very promising. Moreover, as a result of the construction of the Padma Bridge, direct road communication and the construction of the Khulna-Mongla railway have opened direct rail communication. As a result, the importance of the port has increased. But as such the existing facilities of the port are inadequate. For this reason, the government is trying to modernize the port. Now, if modernization stops for any reason, Bangladesh will fall behind.

As per the plan of Mongla Port Authority, 6 new jetties will be constructed at Mongla Port in addition to the existing 5 jetties, i.e. Jetty No. 5-9. Among these, India will provide loans for the construction of Jetty No. 1 and 2; Saif Powertech, a Bangladeshi company, has been awarded with Jetty No. 3 and 4 in PPP modality; the Chinese government will provide a concessional loan for the construction of Jetty No.10 and 11.

Such an allocation seems to have reflected a good strategy of balance and serves the best interest of Bangladesh. Cooperation with one party should not be hindered by cooperation with another party because both China and India are crucial partners of Bangladesh that follows 'malice to none and be friendly to all' in its foreign policy. Bangladesh will also remain in an advantageous position if India and China are encouraged to compete in expediting their respective jetty development, instead of delaying or disturbing one another’s development activities.

Mongla port has potential for the economy of Bangladesh. That is why the government is taking various steps to develop the port. Meanwhile, various projects including Padma Bridge, Padma Bridge Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Railway Line, four-lane road up to Mongla, purchase of modern equipment for the port, inner-bar dredging, outer-bar dredging have been implemented and are in progress which are making the port dynamic.

The government has implemented a total of 19 development projects and 4 development programs at a cost of Tk 1,899 crore from 2009 to 2023 for the development of Mongla port alone.

Follow google news channel to get RTV news Google News

Related More News

Attack on 'March for Unity' Convoy, Bagherhat Turns Into a Battlefield

Reports have emerged of an attack on the convoy of the anti-discrimination student movement's 'March for Unity' in Mollahat, Bagherhat. The incident occurred around 11:30 am on Tuesday (December 31) in Mollahat. It has been reported that 25 buses carrying students departed from Khulna Metropolitan City for Dhaka earlier in the morning. When the convoy reached the Madrasa Ghat area of Mollahat in Bagherhat, local assailants threw stones at the vehicles and stopped them, assaulting several people. As the students retaliated, the area quickly turned into a battlefield. The clash lasted for an hour, with reports of at least 20 people injured. Police and military forces are working to bring the situation under control. The students stated that the attackers, who were already prepared, launched the assault as the convoy passed through Mollahat around 11:30 am. They also alleged that local residents supported the attackers. Despite the incident taking place near the police station, the students claimed the police remained inactive. Regarding the incident, Jahurul Tanvir, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Movement in Khulna, said, "Our convoy was peacefully heading to Dhaka from Khulna. Along the way, we were attacked, leaving many injured. This attack was orchestrated by collaborators of the fascist government." He further added, "The attack was premeditated. However, no obstacle can deter us from our goal. Our brothers have shed their blood. Justice must be served promptly, and those responsible must be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment. Otherwise, the students themselves will identify and take action against the perpetrators."

Gas Pipeline Explosion in Habiganj, 4 Killed, 2 injured

Four individuals, including an engineer, were killed in an explosion at the gas substation line of Akij Group in Bahubal, Habiganj. The explosion occurred on Tuesday (December 31) around 9:00 am. The incident was confirmed by Bahubal Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zahedul Islam. Among the deceased, the identities of two have been confirmed. Their names are Mizan Gazi and Mahfuz. It has been reported that both of them were workers at the factory. They were residents of Chandpur. Regarding the incident, OC Zahedul Islam said, "The explosion occurred around 9:00 am, claiming the lives of two people on the spot. Four others, who were seriously injured, were sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College. I have heard that two more succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital."

Controversial Police Officer Sanjida Temporarily Suspended

The Ministry of Home Affairs has temporarily suspended Sanjida Afrin, a former Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), who is currently serving in the Armed Police Battalion (APBn). This decision was announced in a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday (December 29). The notification stated that Sanjida was suspended under government service regulations. During her suspension, she will remain attached to the Barisal Range and will receive subsistence allowance as per the rules. It has been reported that Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Jahangir Arif had prepared a final report clearing former Law Minister Anisul Huq, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s former private sector advisor Salman F. Rahman, and former Director General of NTMC Major General (Retd.) Ziaul Ahsan in two murder cases related to a student-populace uprising. However, the matter became public before the report was submitted to the court. DB sources revealed that Jahangir claimed he acted under instructions from Sanjida Afrin. Following Jahangir's suspension, Sanjida has now also been temporarily suspended in connection with the case. Notably, Sanjida came under public scrutiny last year after an incident on the night of September 9, when two leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and a leader of Dhaka University were detained and allegedly assaulted at Shahbagh Police Station.

Application For 47th BCS Begins Today

The online application process for the 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination has officially begun. Applications opened at 10 am on Sunday, December 29, and will remain open until the evening of January 30. A total of 3,688 officers will be recruited through this BCS. Among them, 3,487 positions are for cadre posts, while 201 are for non-cadre roles. Additionally, several new posts have been introduced. For the first time, the age limit for applicants has been set at 32 years. The viva voce (oral examination) marks have been reduced from 200 to 100. Furthermore, the application fee has been lowered to Tk 200, down from the previous Tk 700. Candidates from minority groups, persons with disabilities, and third-gender applicants will pay a reduced fee of Tk 50, according to the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC had initially announced that online applications for the 47th BCS would begin on December 10. However, the start date was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. Although the government had earlier declared a reduction in application fees, the official notification was issued later, on December 11.

Chief Adviser to Inaugurate Trade Fair

The 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2025 will be inaugurated by the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The information was shared by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing on Sunday, December 29. It has been confirmed that the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Development Bureau are jointly organizing the 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2025, which will begin on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The fair will be inaugurated by Professor Muhammad Yunus at 10:30 am at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BCFEC) in the newly developed city of Purbachal.