Bay Terminal on the Horizon: Chittagong Port Authority Secures Land for Mega Project

Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) is set to receive approximately 500 acres of government land at a nominal price for the construction of 'Bay Terminal', a new facility with modern port infrastructure. The handover is expected to occur soon, with CPA paying a token amount for the land. Despite initial disputes over the price, an agreement was reached in February, removing obstacles to the project. The terminal, planned to begin construction in October 2024, aims to enhance port operations and boost economic growth.

Bay Terminal on the Horizon: Chittagong Port Authority Set to Acquire 500 Acres of Land for Mega Project

CHATTOGRAM, Apr 17: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is poised to acquire a sprawling 500 acres of khas (government-owned) land at a nominal price for the construction of its much-anticipated Bay Terminal. This significant development marks a crucial step towards the realization of this transformative port infrastructure project.

Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman has affirmed that the district administration will swiftly transfer the land to the CPA upon receipt of the token payment. "The CPA is expected to pay the token price for the 500 acres of khas land within this month," he stated.

The construction of the Bay Terminal is projected to commence within the current year, pending the finalization of all requisite processes. CPA Secretary Omar Faruk has confirmed, "The CPA will expedite the payment of the token price, paving the way for the groundbreaking work on Bay Terminal to potentially commence this year."

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail has outlined the ambitious timeline for the project, stating, "After the completion of the comprehensive master plan, the groundbreaking ceremony for Bay Terminal is anticipated to take place in October 2024."

Sources close to the project have revealed that the long-standing dispute over the handover of the khas land was amicably resolved in February, clearing the path for the terminal's construction. The district administration has agreed to grant 500.71 acres of government land to the CPA for the nominal sum of Tk 30,000,003.

The Ministry of Land issued an official letter on January 31st to both the CPA and the Chattogram district administration, formalizing the transfer of land.

In a notable shift from previous negotiations, the Chattogram district administration had initially valued the khas land at Tk 1,241 crore in July 2023. However, the CPA successfully appealed to the ministry to release the land at a token price. This concession was preceded by an earlier demand of Tk 3,600 crore by the Chattogram district administration in January 2022.

The protracted dispute over land pricing had cast a shadow over the terminal's construction timeline. The CPA's unwavering commitment to securing the land at a reasonable cost has finally paved the way for the project to move forward.

The Bay Terminal is a strategic initiative aimed at modernizing port operations and reducing transportation costs in the Chittagong region. The terminal, to be built on a sprawling 900 acres of land, will cater to larger vessels, significantly increasing the port's container handling capacity from the current 3.1 million TEUs to 5 million TEUs annually.

The project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, contributing an estimated 2 to 3 percent to the growth of the national economy. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself inaugurated the construction of the Bay Terminal in 2018, underscoring its significance for the nation.

The CPA's acquisition of the necessary land marks a major milestone in the development of the Bay Terminal. With the project now poised to proceed at full speed, the completion of this transformative port infrastructure is eagerly anticipated, promising to revolutionize maritime trade in Chittagong and beyond.