Home ›› 07 Apr 2022 ›› Nation
The southern region of Patuakhali has gone through a paradigm shift in the way economic activities are happening.
From the lone agriculture and fishery-based economy to a financial system dominated by industrial operations, Payra stands out from the crowd.
Mega projects like Payra Thermal Power Plant, Payra Seaport and Payra Bridge are contributing enough to break the mould over the last decade.
“Bangladesh is on the highway of development if we simply look at Kalapara upazila. The southern region will benefit from the economic growth in this area,” said Kalapara UNO Abul Hasnat Mohammad Shahidul Haque.
According to Executive Engineer (construction) Rezwan Iqbal Khan of Payra Thermal Power Plant, 622 megawatt power has been added to the southern national grid and a 160-kilometre conduction line from Payra port to Gopalganj has been drawn from the purpose.
With the mega projects, the once agricultural economy is now growing into a more industrial one – a long-term aim of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who envisioned Bangladesh’s industrial development. The coal-based 1,320 megawatt thermal power plant is built on a 1,000-acre land in Dhankhali union under Kalapara upazila.
On October 14, 2016, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and China’s President Xi Jinping laid the foundation stone for the power plant, according to Project Director Shah Abdul Mawla.
The plant’s first 660 megawatt ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant began supplying electricity to the national grid since May 2020.
Bangladesh and China jointly own the power plant, which had a construction budget of $ 2.45 billion.
In the second phase of this project, another 1,320 megawatt power plant is under construction which will be completed by 2024. Dhankhali UP chairman Riaz Talukder expressed his gratitude to the premier.
“With the three big projects, she (PM) has brought this seaside town to the pinnacle of development,” he said.
“Locals were worried that smoke will cover the whole area, but that didn’t happen. No colour changes were spotted in the trees either.”
The Payra Bridge on the other hand has eased communication between major tourist spots nearby and Payra Seaport, thereby boosting tourism potential. Earlier, it took one hour ferry ride.
The premier inaugurated the bridge on September 24, 2021 after a few years of delay which was built at a cost of Tk 1,170 crore, according to the Payra Bridge authority.
The 1,470-metre long and 19.75-metre wide bridge is a single pillar bridge connected by cables.
The Payra deep seaport is the first of the three mega projects to begin operations. The port opened to the public on August 13, 2016 following a virtual inauguration by the Prime Minister.
The Chinese ship carrying 53,000 metric tonnes of stone was the first international ship to anchor in the harbour.
Loading and unloading of export and import products have since continued.
The port was also utilised to transport the stones for Padma Bridge construction.
Coal for Payra Thermal Power Plant is imported through the port. An 11-kilometre jetty is now being built in Ramnabad channel to expand port operation.
Sources said the economic growth in Patuakhali and adjacent districts in the southern region is directly influenced by Payra deep seaport. Both government and private sectors are investing in industries around the port.
The seaport and the bridge have also resulted in tourism sector development. Business is booming in Kuakata area as a result of an increase in holidaymakers.
Patuakhali Chamber of Commerce former president Mohiuddin Ahmed, also incumbent mayor of Patuakhali Municipality, told The Business Post, “Many of my business acquaintances have expressed interest in buying properties and building new businesses in the area. A special economic zone is currently under construction in Auliapur in the region.”
Patuakhali DC Md Kamal Hossain said the district has got eye-catching development in recent years.
“Once completed, the megaprojects will usher in an industrial revolution in Patuakhli that will become the 3rd commercial district in Bangladesh,” argued the deputy commissioner.
