CHATTOGRAM: Work of the much-awaited Matarbari Port Development Project at Matarbari under Mohesh-khali Upazila in Cox’s Bazar formally started on Monday.

Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad announced the commencement of the activities at a press briefing in front of Bandar Bhaban in the afternoon.

Addressing the press conference, CPA Chairman Abul Kalam Azad said an agreement was signed with the consultancy firm on September 23 and formal activities of the project began on Monday.

The chairman observed that construction of the Matarbari deep-sea port is a demand of the time.

Activities of the economic belt being developed from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar will be accelerated through the project, he said.

The seaport is being built at Matarbari in line with the role model that the prime minister has set. Operation at the port will start by 2026, he added.

CPA Member (Admin and Planning) Md Zafar Alam said vessels having 18.5 metre draft and carrying capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 containers will be able to take berth at the new port.

Road and rail links will be connected with the port. The facilities will help the businesspeople to be interested for bringing goods through the port, hoped the port official.

 The consultancy firm Nippon Koei. Ltd Team Leader Hiroshi Otani put up different aspects of their work plans.

He said the firm will be responsible for the design work, tender assistance and construction supervision of the project.

The detailed design will be conducted from November, 2020 to June, 2021 while the tender assistance from July, 2021 to June, 2022 and the construction supervision from July, 2022 to December, 2025.

CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk and other high officials were present at the press conference.