Govt prioritises Cumilla-Dhaka rail corridor, energy projects: Salahuddin

The government has planned several mega projects in the transport and energy sectors, including the top-priority Cumilla-Dhaka rail corridor, expanding the Matarbari deep-sea port and boosting domestic gas exploration, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said yesterday (7 August).

Speaking at an event marking the 27th founding anniversary of the Chattogram  Journalist Forum Dhaka at the All Community Club in Gulshan, he said the Cumilla-Dhaka chord line had been prioritised after discussions with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The proposed dual-gauge double-line nonstop corridor would strengthen Dhaka’s connectivity with the eastern railway network and reduce travel time between Cumilla and Dhaka from the current three to three and a half hours to around two hours, he said.

Salahuddin said the government was determined to implement the project, which had remained under discussion for years.

On energy infrastructure, he said the Matarbari deep-sea port channel would be deepened from 16 metres to 18 metres to allow larger mother vessels to berth directly at the jetty. A separate channel is also planned for a land-based terminal.

Although Japan withdrew from plans to build Matarbari’s third and fourth coal-fired power units, Bangladesh has decided to implement the projects on its own. Construction could begin early next year.

The government has also decided to install two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) at Sonadia under a government-to-government arrangement with China. Another unit will be installed at the Single Point Mooring facility to store an additional 100,000 tonnes of refined fuel oil.

Salahuddin said land-based LNG terminals would be developed in Chattogram, Mongla and Payra to reduce dependence on a single source and strengthen energy security.

The government aims to generate 5,000-10,000MW of renewable power by 2030 while pursuing a diversified energy policy.

The minister said gas exploration would also be intensified onshore and offshore to strengthen long-term energy security.