B Mirror Report: The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the construction of a 4.15-kilometre access road at Maheshkhali Economic Zone-3 (Dhalghata).

According to a press release, the road will be constructed on an existing BWDB embankment under a delegated work arrangement involving the Roads and Highways Department.

The access road is part of a broader infrastructure development project for the economic zone, with an estimated cost of about Tk 1,195 crore.

Apart from improving transportation connectivity, the project will also include the construction of administrative buildings, sewerage systems, water supply facilities, gas connections and an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). Other planned facilities include indoor substations and boundary walls.

The agreement was signed at the BEZA conference room in Dhaka by Dr Julia Moin, Secretary of the BEZA Executive Board, and Md Nurul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Cox’s Bazar Water Development Division of BWDB.

Maheshkhali Economic Zone-3 has already attracted notable industrial interest, with 570 acres of land allocated to three companies — SPL Petrochemical Complex Ltd (SPCL), Samuda Chemical Complex Ltd (SCCL) and Pacific Gas Bangladesh Ltd.

Among them, SPCL has already started land development and the construction of a jetty and other key infrastructure.

In addition, 470 acres of land have been reserved for utility services, green areas and protected service zones.

Speaking on the occasion, Major General (Retd) Md Nazrul Islam, Executive Member (Planning and Development) of BEZA, said the transformation of Dhalghata into a modern economic hub is progressing steadily. He noted that the economic zone has been planned to complement the power hub being developed around Matarbari in Maheshkhali.

The signing ceremony was also attended by several senior officials, including BEZA Executive Member for Investment Development Saleh Ahmed.