UNB, Chittagong :
Communication Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday expressed dissatisfaction over Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation for its slow pace in the implementation of the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway project.
Speaking at a views exchange meeting at the Road and Highways Division auditorium in the city, the minister also alleged that Sinohydro is not functioning as per the contract.
“According to the contract, the contract firm will be responsible to renovate the old road besides construction of the new road. Despite the contract, they (Sinohydro) have expressed its inability to take up the renovation work on excuse of the rainy season,” he said.
As the Chinese firm is not doing the work, the government has decided to spend its own fund to hire local contract firms for the renovation work during the emergency period, he added. Obaidul Quader also mentioned that several teams comprising officials from different agencies will be formed to monitor the implementation of the Dhaka-Chittagon highway four-lane project. Sinohydro Corporation was hired for seven packages out 10 in the project.
Although the Dhaka project was approved in 2006 when the cost was estimated at Tk 2,382 crore, its implementation started in 2010. The project cost was revised at Tk 3,190 crore, and the deadline for completion reset on December, 2012.
