C T Online Desk: On September 20 yesterday , Managing Director of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) Mr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad officially handed over the Matarbari deep sea port channel to the Chittagong Port Authority. Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, takes over the said channel on behalf of CPA.
As a result of the acquisition of this channel by CPA , henceforth the use, conservation and control of the channel will be fully vested with the Chittagong Port Authority. Port dues, berth hire charges, piloting, tug charges, berthing and unberthing and other charges of seagoing vessels coming through this channel will be collected by Chawak. It will earn a lot of foreign currency which will greatly contribute to the country’s economy.
. A channel 250 m long and 250 m wide, with a depth of 18.5 m (msl) is excavated. Later, according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in 2018 for the construction of Matarbari Port, the width of the channel was increased by 100 meters to 350 meters. 1,753 m north breakwater, 713 m south breakwater and 1802.85 m revetment on the north side were constructed by CPGCBL to make the constructed channel and harbor safe and secure. On November 16, 2022, a meeting was held regarding the transfer of Matarbari deep sea port channel under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister at the Honorable Prime Minister’s Office. In light of the decision of the said meeting, the Matarbari channel was handed over to CPA by CPGCBL.
Md. Tofazzal Hossain Mia, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister was present as the chief guest on the occasion, Mr. Md. Mostafa Kamal, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping and Mr. Md. Habibur Rahman, BPAA, Senior Secretary of the Power Department were present as special guests. Also, Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong, members of CPA, Director General of Prime Minister’s Office-1, Director General (Administration), Commissioner of Police, Customs Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, senior officials of various departments of the government, heads of departments of CPA. and other elite persons were present at the channel handing over ceremony.
