‘Hand over rly land to KDA for planned use’

Held at Purbanchal Dialogue Centre, the discussion titled, 'Use of Unused Railway Land for Development of Khulna City' was presided by Khulna Press Club president Alhaj Liaquat Ali, also editor of Dainik Purbanchal. Khulna Deputy Commissioner (DC) ATM Mohiuddin Ahmed was present as chief guest.

Speakers said Khulna city will be changed radically through proper utilisation of Railway lands.

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Khulna Development Authority (KDA) acting chairman ATM Wahid Azhar presented a keynote paper. In his keynote paper he said a master plan was drawn up in 2001. The government approved the plan having guidelines for making best use of Railway fallow land for different development projects.

But, he lamented, despite repeated reminders Bangladesh Railway is yet to hand over its land to Khulna Development Authority (KDA). He said Khulna city will have a new look following construction of a modern market, art gallery, auditorium, park, tennis complex and a five-star hotel on the land.

All the speakers vowed to work unitedly for overall development of their city.

Among others, Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee secretary general Shaikh Ashrafuzzan, Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Indusry president Shahruzzaman Martuza, Metropolitan Union of Journalists president Anisuzzaman, Khulna Press Club secretary AK Hira, ex-lawmaker SM Babar Ali, eminent educationist Wahidur Rahman, Khulna Citizens' Forum president Shaikh Abdul Quayum, Engineer Azadul Huq, ward commissioner Ruma Khatoon, Rupantar director Rafiqul Islam Khokon, Prof Anwarul Kadir, Dainik Prothom Alo Khulna Bureae chief Shaikh Abu Hasan and Advocate Ashraful Islam Bacchu addressed.