Ctg port expansion must for dev

The port in Chittagong should be expanded to increase its capacity and the city should be provided with uninterrupted power and gas supply to keep pace of its industrialisation, said speakers at a discussion in the city yesterday.

Chittagong Press Club organised the discussion titled "Problem and Prospect of Chittagong" at a convention centre.

Giving a speech at the programme, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mahbub Alam said despite having every prospect of industrialisation, no new industry was established in the city between 2009 and 2013 due to lack of gas and power supply.

Housing and Public Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said the government has undertaken many initiatives to develop the whole Chittagong region.

Mentioning that Chittagong has bright prospects, the minister said the government will set-up a coal-based power plant at Matarbari with financial assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). 

The government is also considering floating tender for the LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) pipeline project that will connect Moheshkhali and Anwara upazilas for uninterrupted gas supply in Chittagong, he said.

The government also has plans to set up a bay terminal and a smart city on 1,200 acre land in Chittagong city, said Mosharraf.

Abdullah Al Noman, vice president of BNP, said a separate sector should be created in the budget for the development of Chittagong.

"The city master plan could not be implemented properly. For new development, a new coordinated master plan should be formulated for the city," said Noman.

Chaired by Chittagong Press Club President Kalim Sarwar, the programme was addressed by, among others, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam, State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, Chittagong City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin and Chittagong Development Authority  Chairman Abdus Salam.