Shipping Minister M Shajahan Khan yesterday laid the foundation of Tk 1868-crore Patenga Container Terminal (PTC) at Chittagong Seaport saying the government has taken up all out measures to enhance the port’s productivity through an optimal utilisation of operational activities, reports BSS.

Addressing the occasion as chief gust, the shipping minister said the Chittagong Seaport is the lifeline or heart of national economy, but blood in the heart was once clogged making it dysfunctional. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made the heart functional through operation, he said.

And with this, the minister said, the PM has proved her skill and ability in running the state like an expert driver who does not commit any accident. Speaking at the function as special guest, Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Shipping Ministry MA Latif said the construction of the PCT is a must because it would infuse dynamism into the country’s economy.

Chief of the Engineering Corps of Bangladesh Army Major General Siddiqur Rahman said the construction of the PCT, including three container jetties, one dolphin jetty, one 420-metre flyover and a six-lane road, would start within the next 15 days and be completed within the stipulated time, December 2019.

Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral M Khaled Ikbal presided over the function while Chittagong Chamber President Mahbubul Alam also addressed it as a special guest.

According to the Chittagong Port sources, the PCT would allow three ships to load and unload containers at a time and handle more than five lakh of containers in a year side by side allowing oil-laden ships to berth.