Govt forms high-level panel to fast-track Matarbari projects

The government has formed a high-level coordination committee to expedite land acquisition, compensation, rehabilitation, and implementation activities for nine priority projects under the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), targeted for completion by 2029.

The initiative follows the implementation of the MIDA ordinance which came into effect on August 1, 2025.

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MIDA acts as a single administrative body overseeing energy, port expansion, township, logistics, and seven economic zones on Maheshkhali, which already hosts a 1,200 MW power plant and LNG terminals.

Building on that framework, the Prime Minister's Office issued a notification on September 14, establishing the new committee.

According to the notification, the principal secretary to the prime minister will chair the committee, with secretaries of the land, finance, planning, shipping, and power divisions serving as members.

The committee will provide necessary time frames and directions to accelerate land acquisition, compensation for affected people, rehabilitation of displaced populations, and skills and livelihood restoration under MIDA's jurisdiction and adjoining areas.

The nine priority projects include the Matarbari sea port construction (Chittagong Port Authority and Roads and Highways Department portions), a land-based LNG terminal, a land-based LPG terminal and storage facility, and a third floating storage regasification unit.

The list also features the third and fourth coal-based power plants under Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh, an oil refinery and petrochemical complex, a dockyard/shipyard, and the MIDA office.