The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is going to build a mega container terminal named Laldia Multi-purpose Terminal at a cost of Tk 30 billion (3000 crore) on 52 acres of land for enhancing capacity of the country’s premier maritime port. The project is going to be implemented on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis and will be funded by the five members of a consortium with the help of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This was disclosed at a view-exchange meeting of the CPA with all the port users and its all stakeholders at its training institute auditorium on Sunday. With an aim to ease export-import activities and enhancing its capacity, CPA organised the meeting. The meeting was also told that the project involves the construction of a bulk cargo and container handling terminal including berths, storage facilities, loading and unloading facilities, an administrative space and the installation of equipment with safety and security systems. “The new Laldia Multi-purpose Terminal will be equipped with two berths for the handling of containers from geared ships as well as two berths for the handling of dry bulk and break bulk general cargo, the meeting added. Presiding over the meeting, CPA Chairman Rear Admiral M Khaled Iqbal told the participants a total of 500 families residing on the 52 acres of land will be rehabilitated in Hamidchar area under Chandgoan Thana in the city. The government will build separate houses for 500 evicted families of Laldia, he added. The chairman also informed the stake holders that the authority had taken different short, mid and long-term projects-constructing new terminals and purchasing equipment-to enhance the port’s capacity. MA Latif, a member of the parliamentary standing committee on shipping, said the capacity of the port should be enhanced and the limitations must be overcome for the sake of the country’s development. The meeting was attended by, among others, representatives from the BGMEA, BKMEA, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Shipping Agents Association, Chittagong Customs, Chittagong railway, different trade bodies, Bangladesh Bank, C & F Agents’ Association and Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association.
