CPA Acquires 500 Acres for Chattogram's 'Bay Terminal' Project

Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) is set to acquire 500 acres of government land at a nominal price for the construction of the much-anticipated 'Bay Terminal'. The land transfer is expected to occur shortly, with CPA committing to pay the token amount this month. The 900-acre Bay Terminal project, initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2018, is intended to enhance port operations and reduce transportation costs. It aims to augment the port's container handling capacity and contribute significantly to the national economy.

Chattogram Port Authority to Acquire 500 Acres of Land for 'Bay Terminal' Construction

Chattogram, April 17 - In a significant development, approximately 500 acres of government-owned land (khas land) is poised to be transferred to the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) at a nominal price for the construction of the much-anticipated 'Bay Terminal'.

The transfer of land, which is expected to materialize shortly, was confirmed by Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman, who stated that the district administration would proceed with the handover once the CPA fulfills its financial obligation.

"The CPA intends to remit the token price for the 500-acre khas land within this month," said Fakhruzzaman.

CPA Secretary Omar Faruk echoed these sentiments, expressing the CPA's eagerness to initiate the construction of the Bay Terminal upon the completion of all necessary procedures, including the payment of the token price.

Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, Chairman of the CPA, provided further details regarding the project's timeline, stating that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bay Terminal is tentatively scheduled for October 2024, contingent on the finalization of the master plan.

Sources close to the matter revealed that the long-standing dispute over the handover of the khas land was amicably resolved in February, thereby paving the way for the commencement of construction.

According to these sources, the district administration has agreed to allocate 500.71 acres of government land to the CPA at a token price of Tk 30,003. This decision was formalized by the Ministry of Land in a letter dated January 31, 2023, addressed to both the CPA and the Chattogram district administration.

The sources also highlighted that the price determination process underwent several revisions. In July 2023, the Chattogram district administration initially set the price of the khas land at Tk 1,241 crore. However, the CPA subsequently appealed to the ministry to consider a token price for the land. This request was made in response to a previous demand from the district administration in January 2022, which sought Tk 3,600 crore for the land.

The protracted dispute over the land price had previously delayed the construction of the terminal. However, with the resolution of this issue, the project is expected to proceed without further obstacles.

The Bay Terminal, a state-of-the-art port facility, will be constructed on a total of 900 acres of land along the Patenga coastline. Its primary objective is to enhance port operations by accommodating larger vessels.

Upon completion, the terminal is projected to increase the port's container handling capacity by approximately 5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, bringing the total capacity to 8.1 million TEUs. This expansion is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the national economy.

The project was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2018, and its successful implementation is anticipated to transform the port of Chattogram into a regional hub for maritime commerce.