Resourceful Khulna left in the cold

Khulna division is lagging far behind the rest of the country despite the fact that it is one of the most resourceful regions with good prospects for industries and tourism, speakers at a round-table discussion yesterday said.

The speakers at the discussion titled “Development of Khulna division: problems and prospects” organised by The Daily Star at Hotel Royal International in Khulna attributed this backwardness to fragile road communications and crises of power and gas.

They also demanded special allocation to the division given that it is a disaster-prone area and natural disasters every year cause huge damage to its resources.

They suggested the government makes the Mongla Port fully operational, accelerate the construction of Padma Bridge, supply gas to the region and complete the construction of Khulna Khan Jahan Ali Airport to utilise the full potential of the region.

The government should take immediate steps to reopen the closed newsprint and jute mills to bring back vibrancy in economy and form Khulna-Sudarbans Development Authority to turn the region into a tourism hub, the speakers said.

“Khulna produces jute and fish in huge quantity, especially prawn but we are ruining these industries as most of the jute mills are closed while it lacks proper infrastructure for fish cultivation and export,” said Khulna Chamber President Shahruzzaman Mortaza.

He said the successive governments had neglected Khulna, which is why very good river and road links had not developed here and power supply is inadequate.

Mongla Port has very good potential but the authorities are not paying attention to it, Mortaza said demanding its operation in full swing to facilitate exports and imports.

“A tonne of goods for exports requires additional transport cost of 20-25 dollars; we have to export them through Chittagong Port as we cannot use Mongla Port,” said Abdul Mannan, a jute exporter.

Ships hardly come to Mongla Port, he said, adding that the exporters also have to wait in queue for a long time while goods that are frequently exported cannot be supplied in time. “We are therefore losing competitiveness,” he added.

Khulna was once an industrial zone, which is now getting ruined due to lack of infrastructure, he said.

Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman of Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee said the government project to install a gas pipeline from Alenga of Tangail to Khulna has been stalled for long.

“This project is a must otherwise the government should supply gas from the Bhola Gas Field to Khulna,” he said.

Journalist Mokbul Hossain said there had been no investment in Khulna region. A rail link should be set up between Mongla and Khulna to make the port better functional, he noted.

Stating that poverty level in Khulna division has not come down unlike the other regions, a teacher Anwarul Kadir said, the region, therefore, requires special allocation for its development.

Professor Purnendu Gain, pro-vice chancellor of Khulna University, said the government could earn a lot more revenue if Sundarbans were developed as a tourism spot in a planned manner.

“The forest can be the world's best tourist spot if the authorities plan it that way but facilities should be created for that. Khulna airport should be completed fast for that purpose,” he said.

Atiar Rahman, deputy director (Public Relations) of Khulna University, proposed formation of Khulna-Sundarban Development Authority for planned development of the region.

Speakers said the Farakka Barrage contributed to the siltation of the riverbeds resulting in salinity and waterlogging in many parts of the region yet another major problem.

Rafiqul Islam Khokon of Rupantor said the government should take Cyclone Preparedness Programme in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira as it was done in other coastal districts.

Journalist Zahid Hossain suggested formation of a special law enforcement agency for the region, as cross-border crimes, women and child trafficking are on the rise alarmingly in the region.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam who moderated the discussion said The Daily Star would bring out a special monthly page on Khulna division and will sincerely try to focus more on the problems and prospects of the region to draw government's attention.

Advocates Firoz Ahmed, Mujibur Rahman, Kudrat-e-Khuda and Sabiha Haque, Nagorik Samaj Convener Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum, social worker Shamima Sultana, Khulna Press Club General Secretary Zakir Hossain and teacher Rehana Akhter also spoke.