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Proposed deep-sea port
Experts see Moheshkhali economically viable
Jasim Uddin Haroon
10/22/2005
The proposed deep-sea port at Moheshkhali island under Cox's Bazar will be more economically viable than the other five sites, experts and concerned people claimed.
The ministry of Shipping so far earmarked as many as five deep-water sites in Bangladesh for the ambitious project, which are Moheshkhali-Kutubdia point, Patenga point in Chittagong, Elephant point in Cox's Bazar, Akram point in Khulna and Sonadia Island in Noakhali.
The government finalised the terms of references (ToR) on the project and invited proposals from reputed consultancy firms October 11 last.
The ministry of shipping shortlisted seven international consultancy firms and out of these one will conduct the study. "One firm will be selected within the next 6 weeks," said an official of the ministry.
The competing consultants are HPC Hamburg Port Consulting of Germany, Royal Haskoning of Netherlands, Kolen Gromit Private Ltd., of Australia, Pacific consultants International of Japan, BECEOM of France, CPCS Transcom Ltd., of Canada and Nathan Associates of USA.
State Minister for Communications Salahuddin Ahmed MP while talking to the FE exclusively hinted that the proposed deep-sea port would be built ultimately at Moheshkhali islands because it has different natural advantages.
He also said that the monetary involvement for constructing the link road from Rupsha to Akram point through the Sundarbans would be much higher than those of other points. The cost of developing the link road from Rupsha to Akram point could be five times that of the construction of Padma Bridge.
"I think the sea will decide whether it will be right or not", he said.
Hydrographic departments from Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and Mongla Port Authority (MPA) said that the draught at Akram Point is 12-13 metre, Moheshkhali 13 metre and Kutubdia 12 metre.
They also said that the nature of surface of Moheshkhali Island was rocky while Kutubdia and other areas are sandy. "A rocky island is much better than sandy ones as the former scarcely needs dredging," one of high official of Hydrographic Department of CPA said.
Chairman of MPA Md Abu Taher told the FE that Moheshkhali could cover the so-called "seven sisters" of India, two provinces of China, a large part of Myanmar apart from Bangladesh while Akram could cover only Kolkata and its peripheral regions.
Referring to the world's largest mangrove within the Akram point, he said that the possibility of natural calamity like quakes was low due to such eco system.
"A link road measuring 95-kilomtres starting from Rupsha to Akram will be constructed for developing a deep sea port AT Akram Point," he added.
Chairman of the CPA said that government ha been trying impartially to find a suitable site for the project and the effort is following the right path.
"A deep sea port has become necessary because of the low draught of two existing sea ports in Bangladesh and the techno-feasibility study will choose the right place not only to serve the country but also the region as well," he added.
Former Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP said that study team would take a final decision depending on siltation, proximity to the mainland, regional coverage and other pertaining matters.
"Regional consideration is topmost in order to survive such a big investment," he added.
President of the federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mir Nasir Hossain said that Moheshkhali would be the ideal site as it will cover vast areas and the site will be developed just as Colombo or Singapore hub.
Highlighting the development of port channel as in Colombo or Penang of Malaysia, he said Moheshkhali or Kutubdia might attain optimality serving the provinces of China.
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