Payra seaport

The inauguration of Payra seaport by the prime minster signals a stepped-up effort by the government to provide the country with much needed infrastructure. The third commercial seaport of the country, it is one of the ten mega projects fact-tracked and prioritised by the government to meet the country's development challenges. 

Situated in Pautakhlai, 319 kilomtres south of Dhaka, the seaport will be made fully operational by 2023 and will be able to handle large vessels that neither Chittagong nor Mongla seaports can as of now. It will boost the country's exports and imports by connecting it to the hinterland through river routes, create thousands of jobs, and turbocharge the economy of the southern districts. The government plans to establish economic zones, power plants, ecotourism spots and an airport around the port. It will meet the increased demand of container handling that is likely to be tripled by 2030. 

The construction of Payra seaport is a timely and significant move forward because in terms of load carried, seaway transportation is the cheapest and most effective transportation system compared to other means. The project seems to be well-planned as the site does not submerge during the monsoon.

However, to reap its full benefit, the government will have to link the seaport to the capital by well-built roads, waterways and railway.