In line with its plan to build two terminals at Payra Sea Port by 2021 and ensure 10.5-metre navigability in its channel, the government has undertaken a Tk 3,982-crore project to build the first terminal and other relevant facilities at the port. Among the main projects, works on the first terminal, a coal-powered plant and channel dredging will start by the middle of this year. If things go as per the plan, international ships will be able to come to the terminal directly by 2021, project insiders hoped.
The port authority chairman, Commodore M Jahangir Alam said the rest of the land acquisition work will be done by joint survey after tender floating by September. Besides, a coal terminal with another terminal will be constructed in Nishanbaria. To this end, some 438 acres of land has been acquired.
“The coal terminal construction work will be started by September. Besides, a 1.2-kilometers terminal will be built in Chandupara for multipurpose use,” he said.
The chairman further said rehabilitation of around 4,500 families, affected by land acquisition, is underway. Besides, training programme is also in progress to improve their skills. The port is now open and earning revenue by loading and unloading goods. From 2013 to 2018, around 27 vessels of 5 to 13.50 metre depth arrived at the port. Goods were transported by lighterage. The most transported goods are stone chips, cement clinkers, dredging materials, and plant machinery.
To this end, the government last month signed an agreement with three Korean firms to appoint a consultant to set up the first terminal. The first terminal of the Payra Sea Port will be constructed under a project titled ‘early bird’. As per deal, the contractors will have to complete the construction works within 36 months from the date of signing the agreements.
One terminal, three berths and other related construction works will be implemented under first phase. Besides, the channel will be maintained at 10.50-metre depth under the project, as per agreement. A tender will be floated to build the first terminal by September, according to official sources. The port is the country’s 3rd and largest sea port and will add the much-needed port capacity to Bangladesh to enable larger vessels to call at the facility.
Authorities said, in the near future, this port will turn into a deep sea port with 14.5 meter draft at Rabnabad Channel with airport, cargo, coal, LNG terminal, and two long jetties. To build the Payra Deep Sea Port, authorities have acquired around 3,300 acres of land out of 6,542 acres that is necessary. The project is the hope of the locals for employment and development; many locals are already working at the site.
Payra Port Authority (PPA) has already completed the construction of a warehouse that has the capacity to hold 100,000 ton goods. A five-storied administrative building is also done. It has already been opened for official activity as a site office for the port. Construction of a water purification plant is also complete. The function of this plant is to provide the port and adjacent areas with safe drinking water. This three-component construction is on 16 acres of land. An 80 meter long and 21 meter wide temporary jetty for service yard has also been set up and construction is going on in full swing.
Housing for the officials and staff of PPA is under construction on 32 acres of land just beside the administrative area. Most of the construction work here is complete as well. Some officials are already living there. Construction of a four-lane port connecting concrete road with the national highway is currently in progress. Currently its physical progress is around 80 percent. Officials of the port are expecting that the construction of this road will be completed in June this year. The general activity of the port may start after completion of this four lane road, according to officials.
Rehabilitation of the people due to land acquisition for port construction is also underway. According to PPA, there are six rehabilitation clusters ongoing on 484.11 acres of acquired land, and it will accommodate at least 4,500 affected families. The authorities are expecting the rehabilitation will be complete next year.
The dredging and marking work for connection of the river has been completed. Besides, Pilot vessel work has been completed 65 percent, Tug boat purchases 76 percent and survey boat purchases 87 percent, according to Payra Port Authority. By 2021, 75 kilometer long capital and maintenance dredging works is expected to be completed to facilitate up to 10.5 meter drafts of 40000 DWT bulk carriers.
The government has also approved first terminal construction project for Payra Port at a cost of Tk 4,000 crore. Another multipurpose terminal project at the cost of $600 million with the Indian line of credit is also in the process of approval. Annually, 20 million metric tons of coal can be handled directly from the port jetty, which will fulfil the demanded power generation in the western part of the country at lower transportation cost.
Container ships of 3,000 TEUs and the bulk cargoes of 40,000 tons can come directly to the port jetty. The port area is expected to have the following constructions in the future: oil refinery, oil terminal, LNG import terminal, coal terminal, ro-ro terminal, trade car terminal, 600 meter long general cargo terminal, 400 meter sand and aggregate terminal, 200 meter grain terminal, 2 kilometer long deepwater container terminal, 2.5 kilometer long container transshipment terminal, 44 meter offshore supply base, support craft harbour, fishing harbour, fabrication facility, dry dock, airport and free trade zone.
According to the government plan, construction of five coal-based thermal power plants and an LNG terminal are under construction in adjacent areas of Payra Port. These power plants will be able to produce about 9000 MWs of electricity. Twenty million metric tonnes of coal will be imported every year for the said purpose.
On November 19, 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation of the Payra deep sea port. It was declared one of the “10 Fast Track” projects being implemented by the government. This port will connect the rest of the country by water, road, rail and airway. The government is taking initiatives to make a four lane highway from Faridpur to Kuakata, as well as a railway line from Padma Bridge to the Payra Port. Port authority wants the government to make the four lane road and railway line by 2021. That is also the expected completion time of the dredging of Rabnabad Channel and the first terminal.
