Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several development schemes involving Tk11,072 crore at the Payra Seaport to make the port into a world standard facility.
From her official Ganabhaban residence she virtually inaugurated the development schemes that include capital dredging of the port, launching of eight ships, the first terminal and construction of a six-lane approach road and a bridge.
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 Tk4,950 crore while Belgium based dredging company Jan De Nul will carry out the dredging work.
After completion of the construction work of the first terminal at a cost of Tk4,516.75 crore, three foreign ships carrying containers or bulk cargo will be able to dock simultaneously at the Payra Seaport.
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 Tk655.50 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 Tk740 crore over the Andharmanik river to transport goods to the Payra Seaport. The bridge is expected to be constructed in 30 months (two and a half years).
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Payra Seaport on 19 November 2013 and so far, 236 sea-going ships have arrived at the port, through which about Tk548 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.
