The government is going to upgrade the Mongla Port to expand its operations in a bid to have additional cargo handling capacity of 15 lakh metric tons per year with support from the Indian 3rd Line of Credit.

“The Planning Commission received a Development Project Proposal from the Ministry of Shipping on ‘Upgradation of Mongla Port’ and the project is awaiting nod of the ECNEC after necessary formalities,” said a senior Planning Commission official.

Launched on December 1, 1950, the Mongla Port contributed to the economic uplift of the country over the decades, but later it became a losing concern. After the assumption of office by the Awami League government in 2009, many steps were taken to develop this port and gradually it became a profitable one.

The port now has six own jetties alongside seven private jetties while it is now possible to handle 35 ships at a time through 22 anchorages.

The southern region of the country, which was neglected for long, is now witnessing massive development activities with the ongoing implementation of the Dhaka-Mawa-Mongla Upgradation, Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, Construction of Khanjahan Ali Airport, coal-based power plant in Rampal, Special Economic Zone near Mongla Port, extension of Mongla EPZ and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Under the circumstances, Upgradation of Mongla Port is a demand of time.

Besides, once the Padma Bridge is completed, scopes will be created for transportation of import and export products including RMG items through this port while this Port can also play an important role for transportation of goods to and from Nepal and Bhutan through transit facilities.

Talking to the news agency, another official at the Ministry of Shipping said that the main project operations include construction of container terminal and container handling yard with Taka 2,391 crore, construction of MPA tower, port residential complex and community facilities with Taka 2,507 crore.