DESPITE remaining in power for two consecutive terms, the Awami League-led government failed to complete the most-propagated mega projects — Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, multi-lane tunnel under the Karnaphuli, Mass Rapid Transit and Bus Rapid Transit lines, Padma Rail Link, rail track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar and many other communication development projects. The government retained power in 2014 for the continuation of what they said ‘mega development projects’ but lingering the projects increases cost and subsequent sufferings of people. It is apprehended that the government will again seek the vote in the upcoming national election for the continuation of the projects, something for which they sought the vote before.
The government was forced to enact the Road Transport Act 2018 after unprecedented youth protests demanding road safety but the country’s roads continue to be unsafe. There has been no improvement in train service though a separate Railways Ministry was created in 2011. In their 2008 election manifesto, the ruling party promised to give special emphasis on developing railway communication between the capital and the rest of Bangladesh as well as with the neighbouring countries. Another unfulfilled pledge is the failure to build a circular railway around the capital. Bangladesh Railway increased passenger fares and freight charges twice since October 2012, though it incurred losses over Tk 1300 crore in 2016-17.
The government failed to improve navigability of inland waterways which was an election pledge in 2008. Construction of the Padma Bridge, the Karnaphuli Tunnel and expansion and modernisation of railway communication were also polls pledges that could not be completed. In November 2014, Padma Bridge construction began and in November 2018 the work was scheduled to be completed but only 15 per cent of physical work however completed. The desired progress could not be achieved due to funding problems. Land acquisition for the construction of the multi-lane tunnel under the Karnaphuli River began but implementation slowed down due to funding problems.
The government claims its success for taking mega projects involving millions of money but the incomplete nature of the projects, meaning cost overrun and capital shortage, can bring no help for people, except to waste the national exchequer. To shine up the government’s blurred face due to the non-existence of democracy and rights, the mega projects were taken to ensure that the people would enjoy the output of development, but the infrastructural development activities are neither development in theory nor in practice.
The mega projects are for mega corruption and that is why expenses on the projects are going high and high. It is also a bureaucratic trick to deceive of about increased GDP. The cost of mega projects is increasing manifold for helping the corrupt ones.
The government was forced to enact the Road Transport Act 2018 after unprecedented youth protests demanding road safety but the country’s roads continue to be unsafe. There has been no improvement in train service though a separate Railways Ministry was created in 2011. In their 2008 election manifesto, the ruling party promised to give special emphasis on developing railway communication between the capital and the rest of Bangladesh as well as with the neighbouring countries. Another unfulfilled pledge is the failure to build a circular railway around the capital. Bangladesh Railway increased passenger fares and freight charges twice since October 2012, though it incurred losses over Tk 1300 crore in 2016-17.
The government failed to improve navigability of inland waterways which was an election pledge in 2008. Construction of the Padma Bridge, the Karnaphuli Tunnel and expansion and modernisation of railway communication were also polls pledges that could not be completed. In November 2014, Padma Bridge construction began and in November 2018 the work was scheduled to be completed but only 15 per cent of physical work however completed. The desired progress could not be achieved due to funding problems. Land acquisition for the construction of the multi-lane tunnel under the Karnaphuli River began but implementation slowed down due to funding problems.
The government claims its success for taking mega projects involving millions of money but the incomplete nature of the projects, meaning cost overrun and capital shortage, can bring no help for people, except to waste the national exchequer. To shine up the government’s blurred face due to the non-existence of democracy and rights, the mega projects were taken to ensure that the people would enjoy the output of development, but the infrastructural development activities are neither development in theory nor in practice.
The mega projects are for mega corruption and that is why expenses on the projects are going high and high. It is also a bureaucratic trick to deceive of about increased GDP. The cost of mega projects is increasing manifold for helping the corrupt ones.
