Master plan for Payra port is underway: State minister

A master plan for the Payra port is underway to develop the river port as the Payra Port Authority has signed a deal with a Belgian company to start capital dredging on the Rabnabad channel.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury made the remarks on Friday while visiting the development activities of the Payra Port, the third river port of the country at Kalapara under Patuakhali district, reports BSS.

“The Payra Port Authority has signed a deal with a Belgian company aiming to develop the Payra Port for the people and the incumbent government is working in this regard,” he informed.

He said keeping the river routes navigable is the only way to navigate the economic driving force of the country.

 “The southern-region people will be better off through the development of the Payra port. The people of the country’s northern parts will also reap benefits from it,” he added.

He expressed satisfaction over the development works of the port, adding that the ruling Awami League does politics for the development.

“A vested quarter began occupying the rivers illegally to stay in power. But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has changed the course with her relentless efforts aiming to develop the country,” he added.

Later, the state minister visited the Payra coal-based power plant.

Lawmaker Mahibur Rahman Mahib, Chairman of the Payra Port Authority Commodore M Jahangir Alam, Awami League Information and Research Secretary Advocate Afjal Hossain and district and upazila level senior officials, among others, were also present on the occasion.