Seven coastal radio stations and four lighthouses will be set up in coastal areas to develop marine disaster management and strengthen naval security.
It was disclosed at foundation stone laying ceremony of Department of Shipping head office and ‘Command and Control Centre’ at Agargaon here, said a press release.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan laid the foundation stones while Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Estimates Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Shipping Secretary Md Abdus Samad and Shipping Department Director General Commodore Syed Ariful Islam were present on the occasion.
These projects will be implemented under Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and Integrated Maritime Navigation System (GMDSS and IMNS) Project. Exim Bank of Korea and Bangladesh government will jointly finance the project.
Under the project, head office of Department of Shipping will be established and ‘Command and Control Centre’ will be set up at its 7th floor.
Existing three lighthouses – Cox’s Bazar, Saint Martin and Kutubdia – will be modernized and new lighthouses and costal radio stations will be set up at Nijhum Dwip, Dhal Char, Dublar Char and Kuakata.
The government is earning approximately Taka 14 crore revenue each year from foreign ships through the existing three lighthouses. After completion of the project, the government’s revenue income will increase manifold.
