UNB, Dhaka :
The Cabinet Purchase Committee on Thursday approved a Chinese company’s tender proposal for the construction of Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project at a cost of Tk 12,133 crore.
China Major Bridge Engineering Co. Ltd has submitted the proposal for the construction work of the 6.15-KM bridge, the biggest ever infrastructure project of the country.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, who presided over the Cabinet body’s meeting, said he is expecting the government will sign contract with the Chinese firm in June and the construction work will begin in coming October.
“I expect the contract in June and construction to start in October. This will be finalized by the Prime Minister in the Cabinet meeting,” he said while briefing reporters after the meeting.
As per terms and conditions of the contract, the contractor will have to complete the bridge construction work within 1460 days
(4 years) from the signing of the contract. The bridge’s longevity will be 100 years.
Though the government is set to award the contract to the Chinese company, no construction supervision consultant has so far been appointed for the project. The Chinese company also did not give any performance guarantee (PG) for the job.
Responding to questions on the issues, Muhith said supervision consultant will be appointed soon and the amount of the PG will be fixed through negotiation.
He informed that the tender evaluation committee, headed by vice chancellor of University of Asia Pacific Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, found the Chinese company’s financial proposal substantially responsive and lower than the government’s estimated cost.
