A contract for implementation on the project ‘Modernisation of City Street Light System at Different Area under Chattogram City Corporation (CCC)’ was signed between the CCC and an Indian firm at a city hotel on Saturday evening. 

CCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Md Touhidul Islam, and Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Private Limited Business Head Neeraj Kumar signed the deal on behalf of their respective orgaisations. 

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam was present as the chief guest at the programme while High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was present as the guest of honour.

CCC Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury presided over the programme also attended by Local Government Division Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman.

Addressing as chief guest, Minister Tazul said that India is lending loans in the project as a token of friendship between the two countries. 

The two countries always sign deals based on mutual respect and benefit, he said. 

The minister also requested the CCC mayor and local representatives to make sure that the money from the project is utilised properly. 

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said that the project will establish the foundation of a smart city infrastructure for Chattogram. 

He highlighted the importance of the project in the context of the declaration of a shared vision for ‘India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future’ signed during the recent state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in June. 

The high commissioner described the project as a testament to the commitment of both India and Bangladesh to sustainability, and hoped that such collaborations will illuminate the path towards a brighter, greener, and more prosperous future for all. 

Sources said the objective of this project is to replace conventional street lights with eco-friendly and low power consuming LED lights which will also contribute in reducing the carbon footprint of the city. 

The project is being implemented with the funding from the government of Bangladesh and a credit line of Tk214.46 crore under India’s concessional Line of Credit (LOC) programme.