Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday underscored the need for engaging foreign expertise and cooperation to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the Chattogram Port, widely considered the economic lifeline of the nation.
During his visit to the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT-5) at the port in the morning on the day, Yunus said, 鈥楤angladesh cannot unlock new economic frontiers without strengthening the Chattogram Port. To elevate its performance to international standards, we must welcome foreign expertise and cooperation.鈥�
It is his first official visit to Chattogram after taking office as the interim government chief adviser on August 8, 2024, following the ouster of authoritarian Awami League regime amid a mass uprising.
He said, 鈥業n the past, I had only written about this port. Today, I have the opportunity to see it first-hand and initiate concrete steps. Our goal is to transform this into a truly global-standard port.鈥�
Following a multimedia presentation at the port, the chief adviser alongside shipping adviser retired Brigadier General M Shakhawat Hossain and Chattogram Port Authority chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman addressed officials and stakeholders.
Later at the Circuit House, Yunus inaugurated the long-awaited construction work of the Kalurghat rail-cum-road bridge over the River Karnaphuli.
鈥楾his bridge holds countless memories for me. Its historical significance is immense, and fulfilling the people鈥檚 long-standing dream of a new Kalurghat Bridge will alleviate sufferings,鈥� he said.
Road transport and bridges adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said that the current Kalurghat Bridge, built in 1931, had surpassed its usable life by 2011. The new bridge is expected to be completed by 2029 and become operational in 2030.
In a separate programme held at the Circuit House auditorium, Yunus handed over land deeds for a 23-decimal plot to the Chattogram Heart Foundation to facilitate the construction of a new hospital in the port city鈥檚 South Kattoli area. The deed was received by the Foundation鈥檚 chairman Mohammad Abdus Salam, also managing director of the Asian Group.
Health adviser Nurjahan Begum, who was also present at the event, announced plans for two more government hospitals 鈥� one at Hathazari upazila and another at Karnaphuli upazila. The health adviser also disclosed a proposal to build a dental college and hospital in Kalurghat area in the city.
Addressing the city鈥檚 long-standing waterlogging crisis, Yunus gave firm instructions during a views-exchange meeting on 鈥榃aterlogging mitigation and development of the Oxygen-Hathazari Highway鈥�, held at the Circuit House at noon.
鈥楾his year鈥檚 monsoon has already begun. While it鈥檚 unrealistic to expect a complete resolution of waterlogging this season, coordinated efforts by local government鈥檚 entities such as the city corporation and others must show visible results. Solving Chattogram鈥檚 waterlogging crisis will serve as a model for other cities. We must not rely solely on theoretical discussions 鈥� we want real change,鈥� the chief adviser said.
He said, 鈥楥hattogram has the capacity that many cities do not. All institutions and communities must actively prove this capability through coordinated action.鈥�
Later in the afternoon, Yunus attended the fifth convocation ceremony of the University of Chittagong, held at the university鈥檚 central playground.
Following the convocation, the chief adviser visited his ancestral home at Bathua village under Shikarpur union of Hathazari upazila, where he exchanged greetings with local residents and relatives.
