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BSS-35
KHALID-WORKSHOP-TERMINAL
Govt working to restore waterways: Khalid
DHAKA, Aug 26, 2019 (BSS) – State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury today said the government is working to restore waterways in the country.
“Apart from the shipping sector, capacity should be increased in all other sectors of the country,” he said while addressing a workshop as the chief guest on “Construction of terminal in Dhaka Sasanghat, Narayanganj, Chandpur and Barishal,” at CIRDAP auditorium here.
The Shipping Ministry, Bangladesh Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the World Bank jointly organised the workshop. The state minister said once transportation was minimised on rail and air routes, but now situation has changed.
Luxurious services have been given to road, rail and waterway passengers during the period of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, he said.
Khalid said terminal area of Dhaka Shadarghat will be extended aiming to minimise pressure of waterway passengers.
Shipping Secretary Md Abdus Samad, Team Leader of World Bank Rajinder Khazanchi, Advisor of Launch Owners Association Golam Kibria Tipu, Chairman of Inland Water Transport Authority (Passengers Transportation) Mahbub Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram addressed at workshop with BIWTA Chairman Commodore M Mahbub-Ul-Islam in the chair.
The state minister said the government is working to give the country a good change in the shipping sector on the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahamn.
“We have to retain water during dry season through proper dredging of water-bodies,” he said, adding the government wants to bring a change in the country’s overall communication system.
As per the government’s election manifesto, Khalid said, 10,000 km waterways will be dredged to ensure navigability of rivers.
BSS/PR/KAK/MMA/2030hrs