Bangladesh
Chittagong-Mongla port Indian High Commissioner Doraiswami hails Chittagong-Mongla port as 'game changer' for economy
Dhaka, August 30: Due to its geographical location, Chittagong and Mongla ports are set to emerge as a 'game changer' for the region's economy, said Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, while speaking at a Business and Economic Journalist Seminar at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday (August 29).
Explaining the importance of the two ports, Doraiswami said the two ports would also play an important role in the development of infrastructure in northern India, especially in Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal. In this case, both countries will benefit. Even Myanmar can develop with the benefit of the two ports. Development of Nepal and Bhutan is not possible without Chittagong and Mongla ports.
"Many call Bangladesh a small country, I disagree with this. The total population of Bangladesh is 17 crore, so how is it a small country? Bangladesh is a country with a large economy. Relations between Bangladesh and India are historic. Bangladesh's relations with India are very deep on various issues starting from culture, trade and war of independence. Bangladesh is a big development partner of India," the Indian High Commissioner said.
Referring to Bangladesh-India relations in the power sector, the Indian High Commissioner said the country's largest 100 MW solar power plant would be built on the banks of the Jamuna River at Jamalpur. The Bangladesh government plans to generate 10 percent of the country's total electricity generation from renewable energy. It has taken initiative to build a 100 MW solar power plant at Kaizarchar mouza in Jorkhali union of Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur district. Initiatives have been taken to implement it under the Indian Flexible Loan. The Indian loan for the project is Tk 1,112.50 crore.
Electricity is coming from Bahrampur, India through the Bangladesh-India Power Transmission Center at Bheramara in Kushtia. The Adani power plant is located in the Godda district of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. India has built the power plant only to import power to Bangladesh.
Claiming that Bangladesh-India communication has also improved, he said the Chilahati-Haldibari railway has been launched after a long time. Rehabilitation of Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railway and Khulna Mongla Railway are being implemented under Indian LOC.
