Deep-sea port likely by 2015

The first phase work for construction of the deep-sea port in Sonadia Island is likely to be completed by 2015 with an estimated cost of Tk 15,000 crore, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan told the House yesterday.
“Bangladesh will earn over Tk 1,000 crore in 2016 as revenue from the port and it will be double in 2020,” he said in scripted answer to lawmakers' queries.
He said exploration of foreign fund and preparation of detailed design for construction of the seaport are underway.
The government has taken a master plan to bring back navigability in 53 waterways and almost dying rivers at a cost of Tk 11,500 crore, the minister said adding the project is likely to be completed by 2018.
He said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has moved to procure three dredgers and other water vessels and equipments for carrying out dredging in 53 waterways and nearly dead rivers.
“Seventeen more dredgers will also be purchased by 2015,” he added.
The shipping minister said works for extraction of waste from the bed of Turag River would be completed by the end of next year.