PM opens development schemes to make Payra Seaport world standardMonetary reserve being used for development, people’s welfare: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said money from the country’s reserve is being used for development activities, imports and the people’s welfare, as she inaugurated and laid foundation stone of several development schemes at the Payra Seaport which are being implemented with own financing.

“Many people are questioning where the money from the reserve is going. I am telling them that the money goes to Payra Seaport. The money is being used to purchase food and fertilizer for the people. This money is being used for the people’s welfare and imports. None is misappropriating the money,” she said.     

The Prime Minister virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several development schemes at the Payra Seaport involving Taka 11,072 crore that include capital dredging of the seaport’s Rabnabad channel, launching of eight ships, first terminal and construction of a six-lane approach road and a bridge, from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.   

Briefly describing the projects taken for the development of the naval routes, the premier said, “Bangladesh’s economy would be more vibrant, stronger and developed once the measures taken by us are completed.”

These development schemes, being implemented by the Payra Port Authority, will enable the port to function at its full capacity and add new dimensions to the country's foreign trade, the benefits of which will be enjoyed by the nation for ages.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Payra Seaport on November 19 in 2013 and so far, 236 sea-going ships have arrived at the port, through which about Taka 548 crore revenue has been earned.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP, Shipping Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal and Payra Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail spoke at the function held at Payra Port, Kalapara in Patuakhali.

A documentary on the Payra Port and the development projects was screened on the occasion.  

The capital dredging of the seaport's Rabnabad channel will create a 75km-long, 100-125meter-wide and 10.5meter-deep channel, building a capacity to dock 40,000 tons of cargo or 3000 container-laden ships at the port.

The capital dredging channel will cost an estimated amount of Taka 4,950 crore while Belgium based dredging company Jan De Nul will carry out the dredging work.

The ships and vessels built for the Payra Seaport at a cost of Taka 209.74 crore will help the port authority to monitor the arrival and departure of foreign ships and maintain the channel.

The eight vessels inaugurated include two pilot vessels, two heavy duty speedboats, a buoy laying vessel, a survey boat and two tugboats.

Once the construction of the first terminal, the six-lane highway and the bridge is completed, three foreign ships carrying containers or bulk cargos will be able to dock simultaneously at the Payra Seaport.

After completion of the construction work of the first terminal at a cost of Taka 4,516.75 crore, it will be opened for operation by December, 2023.

The 6.35km-long six-lane approach road is being constructed by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

Spectra Engineers Limited has been appointed to construct the road at a cost of Taka 655.50 crore. The construction work of the road is expected to be completed by December, 2023.

A 1,180 meter-long bridge will be built at a cost of Taka 740 crore over the Andharmanik river to transport goods of the Payra Seaport.

The bridge is expected to be constructed in 30 months (two and a half years).