PM Tarique Rahman Stops His Convoy to Talk to People on His Way Back from Mongla

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has left Mongla after a daylong official visit. On his way back, he stopped his convoy and stepped out to speak with people waiting by the roadside — a moment that became the most talked-about part of the visit.

The prime minister left for Dhaka by helicopter from the Mongla helipad at 5:20pm on Thursday (22 October). His roadside meeting with waiting residents took place before that departure.

According to the itinerary, the prime minister set out from Dhaka at 9am. The centre of his day's programme was Mongla port, the proposed LNG terminal, and the proposed special economic zone.

During the visit, he inspected from the air the proposed site for an LNG terminal at Akram Point in the Sundarbans. After reaching Mongla, he toured on the ground the port development plan and the proposed special economic zone of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).

On the way back, local residents crowded both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the prime minister. He stopped the vehicle, stepped out, shook hands with them and exchanged greetings. Residents also raised various demands with him at that time.

Earlier, at noon, the prime minister went to the naval base at Digraj in Mongla. There he joined a review meeting with senior officials of Khulna Division.

In the afternoon, the prime minister visited the main jetty area of Mongla port and observed cargo-handling operations. He gave officials necessary directions on the port's modernisation and structural development.

He later inspected the site of BEZA's proposed special economic zone. Both the port and the economic zone projects came under the prime minister's direct observation during this visit.

As it was an official visit, the prime minister took part in no political rallies or separate meetings with party leaders and activists. The entire visit was administrative and development-focused.

Speaking with local businesspeople, the port authority and the district administration, it was learned that if the proposed special economic zone and the port expansion project are implemented, employment for around 60,000 people is expected to be created in the region.

Relevant quarters believe that if these projects are implemented, business and trade centred on Mongla will grow and the coastal region's economy will also gain momentum. That is why the prime minister's visit is being viewed locally with considerable importance.

Tight security measures were in place throughout the day around the port and surrounding areas for the prime minister's visit. At the end of the visit, he left for Dhaka by helicopter on schedule.

Attention will now be on the implementation of the directions given during the visit — in particular, on how quickly work advances on the port's modernisation, the LNG terminal and the special economic zone.