Chattogram Bureau :
With massive development projects undertaken by the government to create an investment-friendly environment, Chattogram is becoming a commercial hub despite problems like waterlogging and traffic congestion, opined stakeholders at a webinar arranged by a noted media in the port city recently. They, however, criticised the authorities for not having a master plan and necessary management skills to implement the development goals.
Representatives of the civil society, urban planners, architects, academics and businessmen participated in the webinar hosted recently to discuss the livability and investment environment in Chattogram.
Mahbubul Alam, president, Chattogram Chamber of Commerce in his brief deliveration in the webinar said Development projects, including Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Mirsarai Economic Zone, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Cox’s Bazar Rail Line, Chattogram Port Bay Terminal, Patenga Container Terminal etc, combined worth more than Tk1 lakh crore are being carried out in Chattogram. As it is a commercial hub of the country, it is important that the projects here are completed on time.A new jetty and a bay terminal at the port have to be constructed. If these construction works are not done, the benefits of a commercial city will not be available. The divisional offices in Chattogram need to be empowered. The local offices should have the power of decision-making.
Advocate Aktar Kabir Chowdhury, president, Citizens for Good Governance (Shujan), Chattogram chapter said Chattogram has been declared the commercial capital of the country for almost a few decades. But the reality does not correspond to this idea as the development works that were expected in Chattogram have not been done due to the inefficiency of the state apparatus and the politicians.
Those who were in power at that time, those who were in the leadership from Chattogram, ministers or people’s representatives, MPs, chairpersons of Chattogram Development Authority, the city corporation, nobody was seen doing anything responsibly to make the slogan real.After completing the ongoing mega development projects, the port city will a most important modern commercial hub in the South Asia .
