The economic scenario of Chattogram is being changed thanks to some mega projects getting implemented across the city. Works of some projects were finished while some are waiting to be completed. As a whole, development projects of Tk billions are going on in Chattogram.

If the projects are successfully completed, then it will facilitate employment of tens of thousands of people and initiate change in economy and communication system of the city. According to authorities concerned, these mega projects will turn Chattogram into the economic hub of South Asia. At the same time, it will be a true commercial-capital of the country.

Chattogram chamber of commerce and industry president Mahbubul Alam said, “Karnaphuly Tunnel, Bay-terminal, Bangababandhu Industrial City and Deep Sea-port will be turning point of country’s economy. Upon completion of these projects, Chattogram will be an economic hub of South Asia.”

According to sources, AL had stated about various accord it would take in their election manifesto prior to national election in 2008. And as part of fulfilling their promise, they had taken various steps to make the port city country’s economic hub.

Already, the tasks of building Bangabandhu Industrial City in Mirsharai upazila have been completed, from where each year goods of $25 billion will be exported and employment of 15 lakh people will be generated.

If the Bangabandhu Tunnel is completed successfully, like Sanghai city of China, Chattogram will also be a ‘One City Two Town.’ The construction work of the tunnel is at the completion phase and the transportation facilities through the tunnel will be opened in next year. From the very beginning, more than 30 lakh vehicle will be transported through the tunnel.

30-years long technical assistance project has been taken with a view to development, extension and modernization of Chattogram port. It will increase container handling and storing capacity. In addition, the under-construction Bay-terminal will be six times larger than the Chattogram port and would provide support of handling 30 lakh more containers.

The 16-killometers long Elevated Expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga will pave the way to solve the traffic-congestion problem of the city. The 100-kilomers long Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar Railroad project will be another milestone in the communication system of this region.

Furthermore, If the construction works of Korean EPZ, China Economic Zone, Maheshkhali Economic Zone, Deep Sea Port, Coal-based Power Plant in Maheskhali, along with runway extension of Cox’s Bazar airport and four-lane Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar Highway are completed successfully, it will create employment for tens of thousands of people.

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 4, 2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque