Matarbari Power Plant is raising its Head

The whole Matarbari area has changed; The Matarbari power plant is raising its head, the jetty is being prepared. The Panama-flagged Venus Triumph first landed on the jetty for the Matarbari power plant on December 2020. It brought construction materials for the coal power plant. Even four years ago, only salt cultivation could be seen on Matarbari area in Cox's Bazar district. The days have changed and now there are turbines and chimneys peeking out.

Gradually the construction work began to take the shape of a power plant. And plans to build a deep sea port in the far deep sea have also begun to materialize. The work of building a jetty on the shore has already progressed a lot, and ships have also crowded. Intensive day and night work centered on these construction works at Matarbari Power Plant in Maheshkhali Upazila has already radically changed the landscape of this coastal region.

Many in the private sector, including government policy makers, hope that the island in the south of the country will change as it changes its own economy. On the way there, you can see from a distance all the huge cranes standing with their heads up. Thousands of local and foreign workers are working on this huge construction project with cranes and various heavy equipments.

The government's power department is building a 1,200-megawatt coal based power plant with two units of 600 megawatts each at a cost of about BDT 36,000 crore. Work is also underway to build a deep-sea port for coal imports. Initially, the port was for Matarbari power plants, but according to the plan, it is going to be the first deep sea port in the country. Besides, Matarbari will also be developed as a hub for power and industrial production and fuel import. Several government ministries will implement around 68 numbers of projects there step by step.

In addition to terminals for power generation and gas imports, projects for construction of special economic zones and container terminals have been undertaken. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu told, “A big energy security zone is being built around Matarbari in Bangladesh. Matarbari is going to play an important role in the positive change of the economy of Bangladesh.” He said $ 10 billion would be invested in various projects in Matarbari, adding that it would increase employment in the country. With the increase in industrial production, there will be an increase in GDP.

To protect the entire project area, including the Matarbari power plant, from natural disasters, thousands of bighas of land have been filled with sand and soil and raised a few meters above the sea level. In addition to the power plant, thousands of local and foreign workers are spending their time in the construction work including the jetty. Abul Kalam Azad, director of the Matarbari coal power plant project, said "About 56 percent of the project work has been completed. I hope that the first unit of the power plant will come into production in January 2024 and the second unit in July. Now the work of the power plant is going on. Everything needed for the power plant including boilers, turbines, chimneys is in progress. Dams have been built all around.” He said the work of the 14.3 km long naval channel, which is 18 and a half meters deep, has already been completed for the deep sea port. However, the naval channel has been widened from 350 meters to 250 meters. The rest is ongoing.

The Bangladesh government, in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), took initiative to set up the power plant on 1,414 acres of land in Matarbari and Dhalghata Union of Maheshkhali. Work started in 2018 beyond the planning stage. All parties, including government policy makers, have long spoken of the need for a deep-sea port in Bangladesh for the growing import-export trade. Although the present government has given priority to the construction of a deep sea port at Sonadia in Maheshkhali, no progress has been made so far.

In such a context, the government initially mentioned a port for the coal-based Matarbari power plant, but later it turned into a commercial port. When the construction work of this port is completed, ships with a capacity of 80 thousand MT will be able to dock in this port with a channel of 59 feet depth. A press release from Toshiba Corporation of Japan, one of Matarbari power plant contractors for the project, said earlier that the deep-sea port to be built with Japan's state-of-the-art Matarbari power plant would be similar to Japan's Kashima port.

Two jetties will now be used for coal power plants at this deep sea port. In addition, a dozen more jetties will be used for other commercial purposes. Project Director said, “Two jetties are already ready, one for coal, the other for oil. Once the channel is ready, the shipping ministry will build six jetties first and six more later."

In August 2015, the government approved a project worth Tk 36,000 crore to build a coal power plant at Matarbari. According to the working paper of the project approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, ECNEC, JICA will provide Rs 29,000 crore for the Matarbari power plant project. Then, on 27 July, 2017, the government's Coal Power Generation Company signed an agreement with the Japanese consortium Sumitomo Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and IHI Corporation to build a 1,200-megawatt power plant and deep-sea port there.

Source: bdnews24

 

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There will be Railway Line from Narayanganj to Cumilla

Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said the government has plans to build a railway line from Narayanganj to Cumilla. The minister said, “I have been in charge of the ministry for the last three years. But no one from Comilla raised the issue of a railway line from Narayanganj to Comilla. The Prime Minister believes in development. If the people of Comilla wanted, the Narayanganj - Comilla railway line would have been built already. This would have reduced the distance of Dhaka - Chittagong railway by about 70 km”. He said that the people of Comilla are very lucky. Huge number of expatriates from Cumilla area lives all over the world. If the people want, they can unite and play a role in the development of the Comilla zone. 

He was speaking at the inaugural function of the 24-km long dual gauge Comilla - Laksham section between the Akhaura - Laksam 72-km double-line dual gauge rail line on 25 September. The dual gauge was inaugurated by the Mahanagar Express train moved towards Chittagong.

Director General of Railways Department Dhirendranath Majumdar presided over the ceremony, other guests were MP of Comilla-5 Abul Hashem, Railway Secretary Selim Reza, Chief Engineer of Railways Subakta Gin, Chief Engineer of Max Golam Ahmed and Minister's wife Shammi Akter.

The Minister further said that development of communication system does not mean development of roads only. Development of communication system means development of integrated communication system. The government has focused on the development of an integrated development system. The need for meter gauge trains is declining now a days. So the railways across the country will be converted to dual gauge line.

He also said that work is ongoing of the dual gauge line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar. Dual gauge will also be constructed from Chittagong to Dohazari. Railways have been undergoing extensive development since the formation of the Ministry of Railways in 2011. There is a railway line in Padma bridge, there is a railway line in Bangabandhu bridge, Khulna - Mongla railway line has been built, there will be a railway line on Bhanga - Mawa bridge, the work of metro rail is ongoing fast. Work on the 72 km double line dual gauge from Akhaura to Laksam will be completed by June 2023. The Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it.

The railway is upgrading the 82 km long railway line from Akhaura to Laksam in Comilla zone to dual gauge double line at a cost of BDT 6,505 crore. Of which work of 24 km from Comilla to Laksam junction of the district has been completed. It was opened to traffic through the inauguration on 25 September 2021. Construction work of the remaining 48 km is underway. Which has been planned to be completed by June 2023.

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Chattogram | The Commercial Capital of Bangladesh

Bangabandhu Industrial City (Shilpa Nagari) is being built on about 30,000 acres of land in Mirsarai, Chittagong (Chattogram). The country's first tunnel is being built beneath the Karnafuli River. There will be two Chinese economic zones in Anwara upazila. Construction work is going on to build an aesthetically elevated expressway. Bay-Terminal and Patenga Container Terminal (PTC) are being built on the seashore for the future economic prosperity. City Outer Ring Road has been constructed. The train will go to Cox's Bazar from Chittagong. Four mega projects to alleviate water logging problems in the city. Four flyovers have been helpful in reducing traffic congestion. The commercial capital Bangladesh Chittagong is changing rapidly for some economic and communication development project. This development is adding new dimensions to economic prosperity of the country where Chittagong is one of the charioteers in this progress.

The largest seaport of the country is in Chattogram. It is the second largest commercial city in the country. Chittagong is called the queen of the east, it is one of the main centers of trade and commerce in the country. The largest shipyard in the subcontinent is at Chittagong. 93 percent of import and export goods are transported through the Chattogram port. Around 65% of the Government Revenue is collected through Chittagong Port and Custom House. Chittagong is also unique in terms of geographical location. As a result, businessmen and economists think that the development of Chittagong means the development of the country. The Bangabandhu Tunnel, Marine Drive and Bangabandhu Industrial City - all three projects are related to the national economy. Cox's Bazar can be reached from Dhaka via Shilpnagar - Marine Drive - Karnafuli Tunnel. If the communication system is enriched, new industries will be formed and new employment opportunity will be created. After implementing these projects, it will be a business corridor. Then Chittagong will be like Singapore.

All of these mega projects will play a big role in the development of Bangladesh. National connectivity will increase. In the future, domestic and foreign investment will be attracted in the industrial cities. There will be a radical change in Chittagong. Fortunately for Chittagong, there is an international port here. Previously, industrial and communication infrastructure was not created. However, the present government is implementing some development projects on priority basis. When these works are completed, not only Chittagong but the country will get huge benefits. Chittagong will get a new title in the development. The projects under implementation are undoubtedly commendable. However, the faster these are implemented, the better for the country and the business community. Every project is very important, the national economy is directly involved with each project.

Bangabandhu Industrial City (Shilpa Nagari):

Asia's largest Bangabandhu Industrial City is being developed in Mirsarai, Sitakunda Upazila of Chittagong under the initiative of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA). Meanwhile, the construction of factories of 13 industrial establishments in this zone is at the final stage. There will be various services including industries, housing, health, tourism facilities, entertainment etc. Gas, Electricity and Water connections have been provided in the industrial city. There will be a port for loading and unloading goods. A four-lane road named 'Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sarani' has been connected to the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. In the future it will be upgraded to eight lanes. A high dam has been built to protect the industrial city from the sea water. There is a new 'Sheikh Hasina Sarobar' on 100 acres of land. There will be aesthetic tourist centers, scenic fountains. International standard five star hotels and resorts will be built on 112 acres of land. BGMEA Garments Palli will be on 500 acres of land. 25 separate zones will be implemented. In order to travel in the project area, internal roads including 10 km four lane connecting road have been constructed through Dhaka-Chittagong highway. If the project is implemented, 15 to 20 lac people will be employed by 2030.

 

Bangabandhu Tunnel:

The country's first 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' is being constructed beneath the Karnafuli River in Chittagong. The progress of the construction work is already 75 percent. The construction work is going on with the plan to complete it by December 2022. The tunnel will start from the side of Patenga Naval Academy in Chittagong city and connect between KAFCO and CUFL border on the south bank of the river. Through this, the 'One City Two Town' system will be developed in the style of Shanghai. Bangabandhu Tunnel is being implemented through Bangladesh Bridge Authority in the manner of Government of Bangladesh and China (G2G). On 24 February 2019, the Prime Minister inaugurated the construction of the tunnel. The total cost of the project is 10,374.42 crore BDT. There will be a total of 5.35 km connecting road at both ends of the river with the main tunnel. There is a 727 meter long flyover in Anwara section. Work on the first tube, which started from the Patenga outskirts of the city, was completed on August 2020. Work of the second tube from the Anwara edge began in December 2020. Work is also underway on the connecting road of Patenga and Anwara sections of the tunnel and over bridge in Anwara section. If the tunnel is implemented, South Chittagong will change. Communication with Cox's Bazar will be easier. Industrial zones and factories will be built.

Chattogram Elevated Expressway:

The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) is implementing an Elevated Expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat Airport. About 60 percent of the work has already been completed. Work is underway to complete it by 2023. The project costing Tk 3,250.83 crore was approved at the ECNEC meeting on July, 2017. On 24 February 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction work. Work is being implemented in four stages from Lalkhan Bazar to Barik Building, from Barik Building Junction to Saltgola Crossing, from Saltgola to Cement Crossing and from Cement Crossing to the Beach. The 16.5 kilometer four-lane project is about 20 kilometers long with ramps and loops, it 54 feet wide. Each ramp will have two lanes. There will be 24 ramps in 9 points of the elevated expressway. There will be four ramps at Tiger Pass, four at Agrabad, two at Barik Building, two at Nimtali, two at Customs Crossing, four at CEPZ, two at KEPZ, two at Kathgarh and two at Patenga Beach. Vehicles will run on elevated expressways just like flyovers. With the construction of the elevated expressway, the airport can be reached from the city in just 30 minutes which will save two hours of journey time. Foreign investment will increase. Traffic congestion will be reduced in the city. Tourism sector will be developed. Goods will be brought from Chittagong port to all over the country through this road.

Bay-Terminal:

The Bay-Terminal is called the 'Port of Today and Tomorrow'. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction work on the sea coast of Patenga-Halishahar on November, 2018 to increase the capacity of Chittagong Port in line with import-export and economic growth. Work is underway to complete the construction by 2024. The Bay Terminal is to be built on 2,500 acres of land, including 1,600 acres raised from the sea, in addition to 871 acres of privately owned and government land on the coast. Already 68 acres of privately owned land has been acquired and 803 acres of land is in the process of acquisition. According to the preliminary study, the estimated cost of the project is Two Billion BDT. The import-export goods handling capacity of Chittagong port will be five times more if the Bay Terminal is constructed. Ships are now docked at the jetty based on the tides in the port and the mother vessels are taking berth at the outer anchorage. The Bay Terminal will be able to accommodate ships at the jetty and Mother Vessel will be able to berth. This will save time and money of transporting goods.

Patenga Container Terminal:

The Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) is being constructed at a cost of Tk 1,800 crore. About 75 percent of the project has already been completed. Work started in July 2017. This is a big project to increase the capacity of Chittagong port. With the introduction of PCT which is under construction on 32 acres of land, more than four lac TEUS containers can be handled annually. For the first time in the country this terminal is being constructed with rust-resistant and salinity-tolerant iron, which will prolong the general durability. The container terminal project has a 600 meter long jetty on 32 acres of land. Four ships can be berthed here. There will be a 200 meter long dolphin jetty and 1 lac 12 thousand square meters of internal yard and road.

Four projects to alleviate water logging:

Three Government service agencies have taken up four major projects to alleviate the accursed waterlogging in Chittagong city. More than 10,803 crore taka allocated for four projects. All four projects are ongoing. Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is implementing a project worth BDT 5,616.49 crore for Re-excavation, expansion, renovation and development of canals to alleviate waterlogging in the city. CDA is implementing another project titled 'Construction of road from Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai canal along the banks of Karnafuli River at a cost of Tk 2,310 crore. The Water Development Board approved a project worth Tk 1,620.73 crore in February 2019 entitled 'Development of flood control, submergence or drainage in Chittagong metropolis'. The project is expected to be completed in June 2022. Besides, ECNEC on June, 2014 approved a new three-kilometer canal excavation project 'Construction of road from Kalurghat bridge to Chaktai canal along the banks of Karnafuli river' at a cost of Tk 290 crore to alleviate water logging.

Chittagong City Outer Ring Road:

CDA is constructing a 17 km long city outer ring road from Patenga to Fauzdarhat at a cost of Tk 2,500 crore. The Ring Road will be connected to the Karnafuli Tunnel and Marine Drive. If the projects are implemented, the vehicles going from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar will go to Cox's Bazar through Fauzdarhat via City Outer Ring Road using Karnafuli Tunnel. The Patenga Sea Beach has undergone a radical change for the Chittagong City Outer Ring Road project. Under the project, beautification work has been done in an area of ​​five kilometers. As a result of the overall development, the sea view is going to be enjoyed from four levels on the beach. The project includes a 30-foot-high coastal protection dam to protect it from tidal surges. A 100 feet wide road has been constructed over the embankment.

 

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Trial Run on Daudkandi | Tripura Waterways

Shipments of goods have reached Tripura, India from Daudkandi, Bangladesh. On 5 September 2021, the consignment of cement went from Daudkandi ,Comilla to Sonamura in Tripura on a trial basis via the Gomti river. It is basically the first initiative to be used as a direct import-export naval route between the two countries.

Premier Cement Mills Limited, has become the first exporter of the product by river to the northeastern Indian state of Tripura. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has given the approval to the company to export goods on a trial basis. It was inaugurated in Sonamura India. BIWTA Chairman Golam Sadeq inaugurated the experimental navigation by flying balloons at the Bibirbazar, Gomti section of Comilla.

 

At present, about 5 per cent of the country's total cement production goes to the northeastern states of India. The country's exporters are currently using the Akhaura land port to export goods to Tripura. On May, two new waterway agreements were signed between the two countries in Dhaka. One is from Rajshahi to Dulihan in India and the other is from Daudkandi to Sonamura. According to the agreement, the trial run started. The distance from Daudkandi to Sonamura is 93 km. From there, the consignment is to travel by road to Agartala, the capital of Tripura.

Traders involved in exports to Tripura said the Gumti River has many problems and crises. The biggest problem is the navigability crisis in the river. The navigability of Gumti River is very low. It is not suitable for navigation at depths of more than three to three and a half feet. As a result, it is not possible to move large cargo ships. You have to bring and take only limited goods in one vessel. The height of the bridge is also a big problem. There are 23 low-height bridges along the Gumti river. As a result, it will not be possible for large vessels to pass under the bridge. 

Mohammad Amirul Haque, managing director of Premier Cement Mills Limited said that this is the first time that this trade facility has been created by waterway with the northeastern Indian state of Tripura. This will boost exports to Tripura and other northeastern states and reduce transportation costs. Transporting goods by water is relatively cheaper and definitely more environmentally friendly than by road or rail. This movement can be continued even in the dry season, if regular dredging is done in the necessary parts of the Gumti river. In addition, low-altitude bridges need to be addressed quickly. If the waterway can be used to accommodate large cargo ships, Bangladesh's construction materials will be ahead in the price competition. In addition, regular use of the waterway will increase bilateral trade with neighboring countries.

Bangladesh Water development Board says, The Gumti River has a flow of 2 to 3 meters in the monsoon season, but in the dry season there is one meter of water somewhere in the river. However, dredging will have to be done at different places of the river to make it suitable for navigation if the commercial shipping between the two countries starts in full swing.

Large and small cargo ships will not be able to operate on this river as there are at least 23 low and high bridges on the river. As a result, import and export of goods has to be done in small ships. The BIWTA has already taken up a project for dredging the river. They also have a project underway. The Water Development Board will work to protect the embankment of the river once it starts exporting by sea.

The distance between Bibirbazar land port and Gumti river waterway is 200 meters. Through this land port, Bangladeshi goods have been exported to the tune of Tk 92.47 crore in the 2018-19 fiscal year and revenue of BDT 73 lac has been collected on goods imported from India. Revenue will be further increased through import and export of goods by river.

The relationship between Bangladesh and India is set to reach another milestone with the first ever export consignment from Daudkandi reaching Tripura through inland waterways. This route is significant as it connects Tripura to the national waterways of India through Bangladesh for the first time.

If Bangladesh can create a better competitive scenario, then Bangladeshi exporters can grab a larger portion of exports using this waterway, but the government will have to incentivize the private sector for using and popularizing this route. Since riverways are more cost effective than roads or railway transportation, Bangladesh can explore many avenues if it can explore the river route properly.

 

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Dhaka to Sylhet Highway Four Lane Up-gradation

Dhaka-Sylhet highway will be upgraded into four lanes. Up gradation work will begin in next January 2020. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement with the Economic Relations Department (ERD) of the government in this regard. Land acquisition and survey work is now ongoing.

By signing this agreement, last few years uncertainty has been removed for upgrading the highway to four lanes. The information gathered from the Road Transport and Highways Department of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridge.

According to information, ADB has recently signed an agreement with ERD to upgrade the 226 km long Dhaka-Sylhet highway into four lanes. Under the agreement, ADB will start visible work on the development of the highway in the year 2020. ADB was the first to conduct four lanes expanding work in 2013-14. Later they could not move much further due to some complexity of who would start the up gradation work on the highway.

Now they have been contracted to do the work again. Therefore their previous survey needs to be re-evaluated. So ADB is doing a new survey. Meanwhile, the Roads and Highways Department has started the acquisition for this four-lane up-gradation project. Already, the government has allocated Tk. 3885 Crore for land acquisition and road side utility works. Of this, the allocation in the current fiscal year is Tk. 851 crore.

According to the information, the government was discussing with the ADB to start upgrading the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four lanes. But in October 2017, the government signed a G2G-based agreement with China Harbor Engineering Company for this work. The project work would start at the beginning of 2018 but the cost proposed by China Harbor Engineering for the project was about 42 percent higher than the estimates of the Department of Roads and Highways (RHD). Later the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges did not accept their proposal.

There was a series of discussions between the two sides. But no solution were found, the work is suspended. At one point, the government decided to complete the project with own financing. DPP was sent to the Planning Commission, but it was sent back for further amendments. The road department adjusts it and sends the revised DPP to the Planning Commission.

Then the Planning Minister mentioned the project as too expensive and ordered to find if there’s any outside funding for it. Soon the project was halted. However, it was said that the project would start before the last national election with the government's own financing. In the end, the government came out of this decision.

The Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways have already been upgraded into four lanes. Up gradation of the Dhaka-Tangail highway is almost completed. Now the ADB will fund the up-gradation of Dhaka-Sylhet four lane projects. The project was undertaken in order to expand the previously two-lane highway into four lanes.

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Karnaphuli Tunnel Project in Chattogram | Update

Construction work of the first tunnel in Bangladesh beneath the Karnaphuli River (Bangabandhu Sheikh Majibur Rahman Tunnel) in Chattogram is ongoing full swing. After completion, this will be the longest tunnel in South Asia. Along with the main tunnel, other infrastructure development works are in full progress. After completion of the Karnaphuli tunnel, the socio-economic development of the Chittagong region will accelerate significantly. It will contribute a lot to the country's economy.

The project concerned said that the longest tunnel in South Asia will be opened in December 2022. Overall 48 percent of the whole work has been completed. Engineers, workers involved in this project said that the construction of the tunnel is going on fast. Hopefully, the contractor for this mega projects ‘China Communication and Construction Company Limited’ (CCCC) will be able to finish the project within schedule time.

The tunnel will be opened for vehicle movement by December 2022. Everyone is working hard to build the tunnel within shortest period of time. Work is in progress to install two tubes 18 to 31 meters deep beneath the Karnaphuli River. The tube length will be 2,450 meters, already 620 meters tube work has been completed.

Construction of approach roads and over bridges on the both sides of the Karnaphuli River is also going on rapidly. On the east side of the tunnel, 200-meter open cut, 195-meter cut and cover, 500-meter approach road and 25-meter working shaft is getting ready. Construction work of open cuts, cuts and covers, approach roads and working shafts are also in progress at the west side. Apart from this, other infrastructure development works are ongoing full swing.

Engineers, Officials, Employees and workers have been working day and night long to finish the construction of the tunnel within the stipulated time. The government took initiative to construct the tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River to connect Chittagong city and Anwara upazila in the same way as 'One City to Town', like Shanghai city in China.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and China President Xi Jinping together inaugurated the construction work of the tunnel on 14 October 2016. China is financing almost the whole project cost around Taka 9,500 Crore. The tunnel will start from the Naval Academy Point Patenga and will end at the Chittagong Urea Fertilizer (CUFL) area in Anwara Upazila.

Latest tunnel building technology called Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which is used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section through a variety of soil and rock strata. TBM is using to construct the Bangabandhu Sheikh Majibur Rahman Tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River.  When the tunnel is completed, the economic picture of whole Chittagong division will change. It will help a lot to terming Chattogram as the hub of all commercial activities.

Chittagong city will be extended to Anwara. The capacity of Chittagong port will increase. Heavy industrial plant will be set up in Anwara upazila. There will be a huge change in the communication system in the area. Traffic congestion in the Chattogram city will reduce. Centering this tunnel, a modern communication system will be developed connecting Dhaka - Cumilla - Feni - Chattogram - Cox's Bazar, which will eventually be connected to the Asian Highway network.

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