UNB, Dhaka :
The Railways Ministry has proposed raising the much-delayed construction cost of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar single-line dual-gauge railway track project by 603 percent alongside extending its timeframe to June 2020.
On July 6, 2010, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project for constructing single-line meter-gauge railway track from Dohazari in Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum along Myanmar border, involving Tk 1,852.35 crore.
Talking to UNB, a Planning Commission official said the Railways Ministry has proposed making the first revision of the project with an additional cost of Tk 11,177.33 crore, raising the overall project cost to Tk 13,029.68 crore. Bangladesh Railway will implement the project.
The ministry also proposed extending the project period to June, 2020 from December, 2013.
Of the proposed first revision, Tk 4,112.71 crore will come from the national exchequer while the rest of Tk 8,916.98 crore as project assistance.
Asked about the abnormal cost hike in the proposed revision, the official said the original project was taken to construct a 127.66-km single-line meter-gauge railway track, but in the proposed revision, a dual-gauge track will be constructed, resulting in the huge hike in the project cost.
Out of the proposed additional amount, Tk 1,669.08 crore will increase for price adjustment and physical contingency, which is 90.11 percent higher than the original DPP, Tk 716.92 crore will increase for CD/VAT purpose which is 38.70 percent higher than the original project cost and Tk 1,110.15 crore for land acquisition, which is 60.47 percent higher than the original ADP.
Under the proposed first revision, a 99.3-km single-line dual-gauge track will be constructed from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu while another 28.96-km single-line dual-gauge track from Ramu to Gundum near Myanmar border.
Besides, the project will have to spend money on rehabilitating people to be affected due to the acquisition of some 690 hectares of land. The project also aims to establish link with Trans Asian Railway Corridor and ensuring development of the tourism facilities of the tourist city Cox’s Bazar through developing rail communication system.
The Railways Ministry has proposed raising the much-delayed construction cost of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar single-line dual-gauge railway track project by 603 percent alongside extending its timeframe to June 2020.
On July 6, 2010, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project for constructing single-line meter-gauge railway track from Dohazari in Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum along Myanmar border, involving Tk 1,852.35 crore.
Talking to UNB, a Planning Commission official said the Railways Ministry has proposed making the first revision of the project with an additional cost of Tk 11,177.33 crore, raising the overall project cost to Tk 13,029.68 crore. Bangladesh Railway will implement the project.
The ministry also proposed extending the project period to June, 2020 from December, 2013.
Of the proposed first revision, Tk 4,112.71 crore will come from the national exchequer while the rest of Tk 8,916.98 crore as project assistance.
Asked about the abnormal cost hike in the proposed revision, the official said the original project was taken to construct a 127.66-km single-line meter-gauge railway track, but in the proposed revision, a dual-gauge track will be constructed, resulting in the huge hike in the project cost.
Out of the proposed additional amount, Tk 1,669.08 crore will increase for price adjustment and physical contingency, which is 90.11 percent higher than the original DPP, Tk 716.92 crore will increase for CD/VAT purpose which is 38.70 percent higher than the original project cost and Tk 1,110.15 crore for land acquisition, which is 60.47 percent higher than the original ADP.
Under the proposed first revision, a 99.3-km single-line dual-gauge track will be constructed from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu while another 28.96-km single-line dual-gauge track from Ramu to Gundum near Myanmar border.
Besides, the project will have to spend money on rehabilitating people to be affected due to the acquisition of some 690 hectares of land. The project also aims to establish link with Trans Asian Railway Corridor and ensuring development of the tourism facilities of the tourist city Cox’s Bazar through developing rail communication system.
