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TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj
A fire broke out in a super board manufacturing factory of TK Group in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Sunday (March 24, 2024) afternoon.
Talhan Bin Zasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD-media cell) headquarters, said the fire began in the board factory in Jamaldi area around 1: 10 pm.
Read more: Fire at 18-storey building in Dhaka’s Gulshan doused
On information, ten firefighting units rushed to the spot and were trying to tame the flame, he said.
The origin of the fire could not be known immediately, he added.
Read more: Fire in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar; chemical warehouse burnt down
BRT project: Seven flyovers in Gazipur opened to traffic
Seven flyovers under Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Gazipur on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway were opened to traffic on Sunday.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the flyovers virtually joining from the conference room of Bangladesh Secretariat as the chief guest in the morning.
Bangladesh to provide 190 acres of land in Kurigram for Bhutanese investors; discussion to import hydropower underway
The flyovers are: 323 metres Airport Flyover (left side), 323 metres Airport Flyover (right), 180 meters Jasimuddin Flyover, 165 metres U-Turn-1 of Gazipura Flyover, 165 meters U-Turn-2 Open University Flyover, 240 metres Bhogra Flyover and 568 meters Chowrasta Flyover.
Obaidul Quader said with the opening of seven flyovers this year, Eid journey will be comfortable for people. “People will not suffer in Gazipur during Eid journey as the previous years. Already 91% of the project work has been completed and it is expected that the buses of BRT project will run by this December.”
PM Hasina opens military hardware display 2024
Roads and Highways Department chief engineer Syed Mainul Hasan, BRT project director (Roads) ASM Ilias Shah, BRT project director (Bridges) Md Monirul Islam Khan, Dhaka Road circle superintending engineer Md Saifuddin were, among others, were present.
Owner of hijacked vessel MV Abdullah doesn’t want armed operation
Owner of the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah that was hijacked by Somali pirates on March 12, does not support armed operation to free the ship and its crew.
Mizanul Islam, media adviser of the owner KSRM Group, said that they are not in favour of any armed operation, considering the safety of the sailors.
Rather, they are in favour of accepting conditions to rescue the crew, he said.
The information that the European Union and the Indian Navy are preparing to free MV Abdullah is not correct, the media adviser informed.
Replying to a question from UNB’s Chattogram correspondent, Mizanul said that the Somali pirates who hijacked the ship have already contacted them, though they are yet to demand any ransom.
Read more: All crew members are safe on the hijacked vessel: KSRM Group’s media consultant
“We hope to rescue the ship, free 23 sailors, and bring them back home through discussions. We are working on that end. In this case, the company is trying to utilise its previous experience,” he informed.
He said family members of the crew members are in touch with them.
Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, director general (DG) of Department of Shipping, said that no one can conduct an operation on the hijacked ship without permission from Bangladesh.
Discussions are underway to free the ship and crew from the pirates and it will take some time, the DG said.
Read more: ‘If money is not given, they will kill us’: Audio message of hijacked ship’s chief officer
He also informed that the presence of the EU navy’s ship won’t impact the discussion.
On March 12, a group of Somali pirates seized control of the Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel when it was carrying coal from Mozambique’s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE.
MV Abdullah is owned by SR Shipping Lines, a sister concern of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group.
On March 20, the pirates made the first contact with the owner of the vessel.
Read more: ‘Indian Ocean is named after us; if we don't take action, who will?’: Indian Navy Chief
Fire at Puratan Bazar in Narayanganj’s Rupganj under control
A fire that broke out early today in Puratan Bazar, also known as Kacha Bazar, beside Gausia Market in Bhulta union under Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj is now under control.
Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD-media cell) headquarters, said the blaze began in the Kacha Bazar around 3:35 am.
On information, eight firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control around 5:45 am, he informed.
Incident Commander Md Saleh Uddin, deputy director of the FSCD’s Dhaka Division, told media after taming the fire that some shops of hardware, tyre tube and vegetables were damaged in the incident.
The reason of the fire and extent of damages caused could not be known immediately, he said.
A probe committee would be formed to identify causes of the fire, the fire service officer said, adding that they faced difficulties in bringing the fire under control due to overcrowding of people.
500 acres of land transferred to Chittagong Port Authority for expansion: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said on Saturday that the government has already transferred 500 acres of land to the Chittagong Port Authority free of charge for the expansion of the terminal.
"They will receive an additional 300 acres, for which the port authority has applied. Already, the Port authority has signed an MOU with DP World and the Singapore Port Authority," he added.
He further stated, "Work will be divided into three parts here. Chittagong Port Authority will handle one part, the Singapore Port Authority another, and DP World the third. The World Bank and other international financial institutions are also getting involved. This is a significant advancement."
"Through this terminal, we will be able to supply goods to the northeastern states of India," he said.
Bhutan's king to visit Kurigram, check out proposed economic zone on Mar 28
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is expected to visit the country’s northern district of Kurigram on March 28 during his tour to Bangladesh to attend the Independence Day celebrations, and visit the proposed “Bhutanese Special Economic Zone” in the district, a joint initiative of Bangladesh and Bhutan.
In 2015, at a rally at Kurigram Government College ground, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself announced that she would build a special economic zone in the district and remove the stigma of the people of the district forever.
In a bilateral meeting with the Bhutanese King and Queen in London in May 2023, Premier Sheikh Hasina proposed the country to establish a special economic zone in Kurigram. Later, the district administration and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) started proceedings to set up the SEZ.
Seeking cooperation from all to establish the economic zone, BEZA Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said the special economic zone is being set up in Kurigram district to implement the promise given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The district administration has already handed over 133 acres of land to the BEZA and arrangements are underway to acquire another 86 acres of land. A total of 211 acres of land will be required, he said.
On March 10, a Bhutanese delegation visited the proposed economic zone. They are very interested in economic zones. This will open a new milestone in the economic and trade relations between the two countries, the BEZA chairman hoped.
“We hope to sign an agreement with the current Bhutanese king on the economic zone. If all goes well, Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck will visit Kurigram Economic Zone on March 28,” he informed this while visiting the economic zone on Thursday.
At present, the district is known as a poor district throughout the year due to lack of industries and factories. This time, the residents of that district are using their rivers to sow some hope. They want to change their fate centered on the Dharla River.
As there are no industries and factories in the district, most of the people of the chars and students go to the big cities of the country including the capital Dhaka to work as labourers due to river erosion and floods every year.
Due to not being economically self-sufficient, the number of child marriages in the district increases and the number of dropouts increases.
As a result, the poverty rate in the district is increasing gradually. The establishment of the proposed 'Bhutanese Special Economic Zone' based on Government to Government (G2G) would reduce the poverty rate in the district.
At the same time, many people hope that the people of the district will contribute to the development of the district by alleviating their poverty.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said the connectivity between Kurigram and India and Bhutan is very good. Bhutan has connectivity facilities with two land ports in Kurigram and Chilmari river port.
The special economic zone will increase the capacity of the people, most of the people of this district will be able to live a better life than before, he said, adding that the government is working towards that goal.
Public hearing to protect Banshi, Turag river on World Water Day
Due to unplanned industrialization and urbanization, encroachment, filling, the capital's Banshi and Turag rivers have shrunk.
As a result, there is an adverse impact on the livelihood, food system and environment of the fishermen who depend on this river. Fresh water shortage has increased.
Such an observation was made at a public hearing on the occasion of the World Water Day on Friday at Mazhir Dia village on the banks of Banshi river.
The public hearing was organized by Change Initiative, River Delta Research Center, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies and We Mean Green.
About a hundred Majhi family members of Majhir Dia village of Kaundia Union attended the public hearing for the protection of the river.
They said Banshi river water cannot be used for daily activities due to pollution. The situation will become more critical in the future.
To ensure balanced distribution of water, experts opined that rivers, canals and seas should be allowed to move at their own pace.
Fishermen said that Banshi and Turag rivers were their only source of livelihood. Due to pollution, fish are no longer available in this river.
The female members of the fisherman's family said that the water of Banshi or Turag cannot be used for any household purpose.
Even if you get into the water, the body is suffering from various types of diseases including itching and sores.
In the public hearing, the CEO of Change Initiative Zakir Hussain Khan said that Bangladesh will survive only if the rivers of Bangladesh are saved.
Rivers are being encroached, polluted, filled under the umbrella of different political parties.
Zakir Hussain Khan said that no one is being brought under the law due to encroachment and river pollution.
The chairman of the River and Delta Research Center said that fishermen are changing their profession due to lack of fish in the river.
Banshi and Turag rivers are dying today due to industrial pollution.
Mohammad Ejaz said, about four and a half million people are in water shortage.
He said that due to the polluted river water, the pressure on the underground water is constantly increasing.
Prof. Kamruzzaman Majumder said that crossing the river has become a burden due to the stench of rotten water.
He said, fish and aquatic animals cannot survive in this water. Although there is a law to prevent river pollution, the river is being destroyed due to the negligence of the Department of Environment and the failure to hold the industry accountable.
Javed Ahmed said that it is possible to develop river-centric tourism if the river is freed from pollution and encroachment.
This will increase the employment here around the tourist center. People's livelihood will improve.
Farhana Rahman, CEO of We Mean Green conducted the public hearing program organized on the occasion of World Water Day, keeping Dhaka's water, wetland and climate slogans in front.
On World Water Day 2024, the Change Initiative also released a position paper that highlights the critical intersection of climate change, water scarcity and regional cooperation.
Fire at 18-storey building in Dhaka’s Gulshan doused
A fire that broke out on the ninth floor of AWR Tower in the capital’s Gulshan was doused on Saturday afternoon.
The fire broke out at Purnima Restaurant on the ninth floor of the 18-storey around 4:35 pm, said Tanha Bin Zasim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room (media).
Fire in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar; chemical warehouse burnt down
Three firefighting units from Tejgaon Fire Station doused the fire at 4:50 pm, he added.
Demra warehouse fire doused: Fire Official
No casualties were reported in the fire incident, he also said.
Fire breaks out in godown in Dhaka’s Demra
Govt to develop container terminal -1 at Payra Port under PPP
The government will develop the container terminal -1 at the Payra Port under the Public Private Partnership.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on March 20 with Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali in the chair.
According to official sources, the CCEA has given its nod in principle to a proposal of the Payra Port Authority (PPA).
The Ministry of Shipping moved its subordinate body’s proposal to the CCEA meeting.
The CCEA has been the highest authority in approving any unsolicited offer in the purchase of the government.
Sources said that after such approval now the PPP Authority will invite interested international companies to place their expression of interest to implement the project.
Payra Port was established in 2013 in Patuakhali district of the country and has now been trying to expand its activities.
It is the country’s third largest seaport, after the Chattogram Port and the Mongla Sea Port, and handles a significant portion of Bangladesh’s international trade.
Officials said that the main goal in establishing the port was to reduce the burden on the overcrowded Chattogram Port and improve the country’s transportation infrastructure.
About the development of the container terminal – 1, the PPA Authority in its official websites mentioned that there are some objectives behind the project.
These include providing a major gateway for the country's trade with the outside world, improving the quality of services and developing adequate facilities and decreasing the pressure on the existing ports and enhancing competitiveness of the country’s exports as prices of imported and exported commodities decrease as a result of shorter shipping time and lower shipping costs.
“Exporters would incur lower financial costs for their shipments due to the shorter processing and shipping time for their cargo,”it said.
The PPP Authority also mentioned Bangladesh has a vast coastline and in spite of that there are only two sea ports, and with the increased demand in sea-centric trade, congestion is quickly becoming an issue.
Officials said the Ministry of Shipping has also decided to develop five components of the Payra Port through Public-Private Partnership modality.
Shipping Industry insiders said that one of the major advantages of the Payra Port is its location, which is convenient for the movement of cargo to and from the southwestern region of Bangladesh. This is one of those five.
The port is also well connected to the country’s transportation network, with road, rail, and waterway links to other parts of the country, they said.
They said that in recent years, the Payra Port has undergone a number of expansion and modernization projects to improve its infrastructure and efficiency. One such project is the construction of a new container terminal, which will increase the port’s capacity to handle 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.
They also mentioned the Payra Port still faces a number of challenges as well.
They said one of the major challenges is the limited capacity of the port, which often leads to congestion and delays in the movement of cargoes.
The port is also struggling to compete with other regional ports, which have more advanced infrastructure and facilities, said a user of the port.
Another challenge for the port is that it has been also facing environmental concerns as it is located in an ecologically sensitive area, and there are concerns about the impact of its operations on the local ecosystem, they said.
Rains likely in Dhaka, 3 other divisions
Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) forecast rain or thundershowers in parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Saturday.
“Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at one or two places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions and the region of Cumilla,” said a met office bulletin.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Day and night temperature may rise by (1-2)°C over the country, it said.
Country’s highest temperature was recoded in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar at 33.7 degree Celsius on Friday.