The Ministry of Shipping has signed two deals to dredge river routes aiming to strengthen capacity of Chattogram-Dhaka-Ashuganj corridor. 

An agreement signing ceremony for dredging Chattogram-Dhaka-Ashuganj and connected river routes and establishing terminal along with other establishments funded by World Bank was held on Saturday at Hotel Radisson in the capital.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury was present at the program as the chief guest while Project Director and Additional Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Md Ayub Ali signed the deal with Gulf Cobla-Karnaphuli joint venture and Dharti-Banga joint venture’s representatives.

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According to the deal, the contractors will carry out excavation for development and protection of 13 river routes involving Tk 430 crore.  

Under the project, 900 kilometers waterways will be excavated, cyclone shelters will be constructed for vessels in six places, conservation dredging will be done in three ferry crossing zones, four passenger and cargo terminals, 15 landing stations will be established and two multipurpose vessels will be procured.

Shatnal, Charbhairabi, Chandpur, Mehendiganj, Sandwip, and Nalchira are the primarily selected places to build the cyclone centers. Chandpur-Sharaitpur, Lakshmipur-Bhola, Bheduria-Laharhat ferry crossings will be dredged and conserved. 

About 80% of the country's inland vessels operate through Chattogram-Dhaka-Ashuganj corridor and about two lakh passengers use these routes daily.

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BIWTA will implement the project and the deadline for completing the project has been fixed on December 31, 2025. Estimated cost of this project is Tk 3349.42 crore. Of which Tk 3052.80 crore will be provided by World Bank as project assistance and Tk 296.62 crore by the Government of Bangladesh.