PM to Visit Southwestern Region Today, Launch Two Container Jetty Projects and New Kuri Sports Season

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is visiting Mongla Port today (Thursday), with expectations that the trip will open new opportunities for economic development in southwestern Bangladesh, expand maritime trade and accelerate port-centred industrialisation. This will be his second visit to Mongla since assuming office as prime minister. His frequent visits and initiatives to implement major mega projects centred on Mongla Port have generated an atmosphere of celebration across the southwestern region. During the day-long visit, he will lay the foundation stones for several important development projects aimed at expanding the port’s capacity, modernising its infrastructure and strengthening its competitiveness in international trade.

The most significant programme is the foundation-laying ceremony for two new container jetty construction projects at Mongla Port, with a combined investment of Tk 40.68 billion. Officials expect the projects to increase the port’s container-handling capacity, accelerate cargo loading and unloading, and inject fresh momentum into import-export trade. Improved infrastructure is also expected to create opportunities to attract domestic and foreign investment. Mongla Port is a vital economic driver not only for Bagerhat but also for the entire southwestern region, including Khulna, Jashore, Satkhira and Narail. For years, businesspeople, industrial entrepreneurs and transport-sector stakeholders in the region have been demanding port modernisation, maintenance of navigability, faster cargo transportation and improved connectivity infrastructure. Implementation of the new container jetty projects and other infrastructure developments could bring positive changes in these areas.

The expansion of industries, import-export-oriented businesses, agricultural processing and fisheries-processing industries around Mongla Port could create significant new opportunities. This is expected to generate local employment, expand commercial activities and attract fresh investment into the regional economy. However, realising these prospects will require timely project implementation, transparency, quality assurance and coordinated improvements in road, rail and waterway connectivity with the port. Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mustafa said the mega initiative would include a modern container terminal measuring 368 metres in length, along with an extensive yard. To accelerate container operations, the new yard will be equipped with 49 modern automated pieces of machinery, enabling the handling of more than 30 containers per hour.

A separate dangerous cargo-handling facility will also be established to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous chemical products. Following the foundation-laying ceremony, construction is expected to begin as soon as possible. Upon completion, the port aims to increase its overall container-handling capacity to 400,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Sheikh Faridur Islam outlined the prime minister’s visit and related programmes, saying that alongside the inauguration of Mongla Port infrastructure projects, an important agreement would be signed between Invest Bangladesh and China Railway Construction Corporation. The agreement will establish a direct railway connection with Mongla Port. Container trains departing from Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Dhaka will be able to travel directly to the port, where cargo can be unloaded and transferred to ships for loading and unloading. This will substantially reduce transportation costs and time while significantly increasing domestic and foreign businesses’ interest in using Mongla Port and investing in its development.

Ali Asgar Lobby, member of parliament for Khulna-5 and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Railways, told Inqilab that the government had taken major initiatives to transform Mongla Port into a more dynamic, internationally competitive logistics hub. He said the construction of two modern container jetties at a cost of Tk 40.68 billion would significantly increase the port’s container-handling capacity. At the same time, greater regional and international trade flows through the southwestern region would accelerate economic development. He added that the prime minister’s visit was more than a formal engagement for people in the southwestern region. It represented an important opportunity to fulfil their longstanding development aspirations. Modernising Mongla Port, promoting industrialisation, generating employment, maintaining river navigability and improving regional connectivity have long been among the region’s key demands.

Residents hope the visit will generate new economic opportunities around Mongla Port, highlight Bagerhat’s historical heritage and create fresh enthusiasm in Khulna’s cultural landscape. After completing his day-long official and development programmes in Mongla, the prime minister will travel by road to Bagerhat. There, he will visit the historic shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA), a site associated with the region’s world heritage and historical significance. The shrine visit is one of the major engagements on his itinerary, reflecting Bagerhat’s historical and religious heritage. Following the visit, the prime minister will travel to Khulna, where he will attend the grand opening ceremony of Notun Kuri Season 2 as the chief guest. The programme aims to nurture the hidden talents of children and adolescents and encourage the younger generation to participate in cultural activities and creative pursuits. The event is expected to create a festive atmosphere across Khulna.

Regarding preparations for the prime minister’s visit, Bagerhat District BNP President ATM Akram Hossain Talim said party leaders and activists were fully prepared to welcome their party chief, who is also the current prime minister. He added that the general public was also showing considerable interest and enthusiasm about the visit, which he expected would give fresh momentum to the region’s overall development. Meanwhile, Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jamirul Islam said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place to ensure the prime minister’s visit proceeded safely and without disruption. A strict four-tier security system has been deployed, while administrative officials and police personnel remain on the highest alert to ensure that all programmes are conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner.