Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 568 Sat. December 31, 2005  
   
Front Page


Tata willing to manage Mongla Port


Indian industrial giant Tata Group has reportedly proposed to take up a lease on Mongla Port in a bid to improve its performance so that foreign ships don't shy away from using the port.

A highly placed source in Mongla Port Authority (MPA) said Tata has made the proposal to gear up the port's activities and restore its lost name and fame.

Tata in its proposal said it will make all-out efforts to modernise the port channel and construct fresh container jetties to give the port a new look to attract foreign ships.

Tata's proposal came at a time when the government has a plan to privatise Mongla Port to save it from counting continuous losses.

The source however could not confirm whether the government is still considering the plan or has discarded it.

Meanwhile, the 10-member parliamentary committee on the shipping ministry held its 24th meeting at the MPA conference room with lawmaker Golam Mohammad Siraj in the chair on Thursday.

The committee took some important decisions to revive the port. The decisions include construction of a deep see port at either Akram point or Kutubdia, permanent dredging of the Pashur river and import of fertilisers and food grain for southern and northern regions through the port.

Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain was present.