UNB, Dhaka :
The estimated cost of the much-hyped Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project is likely to see a rise for the third time by around Tk 1,400 crore to take the overall project cost up to Tk 30,193.38 crore as acquisition of additional land is required for the project.
The last and second revision of the Padma Bridge Project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on January 5, 2016 with an estimated cost of Tk 28,793.38 crore to be implemented by December 2018. The Padma Bridge Project was first approved by Ecnec in 2007 with an estimated cost of Tk 10,161.75 crore. Later, the length of the bridge was increased due to change in design for which the estimated cost hiked to Tk 20,507.20 crore which was approved by Ecnec in 2011.
Talking to UNB, a Planning Commission official preferring anonymity said in the original Development Project Proforma (DPP),
Tk 1,299 crore was allocated for the acquisition of some 1,530 hectares of land and the amount has already been spent. “But, now there’s a need to acquire some 2,698 hectares of land for which additional Tk 1,400 crore is needed.”
Under the present circumstances, the official informed, there is a need to acquire additional 1168 hectares of land in Munshiganj, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts.
Talking to the news agency, another official at the Bridges Division said since the allocated amount against land acquisition as per the DPP has already been spent it is not possible now to acquire additional land which is also hampering the project works.
“Besides, the contractor will have to give a huge compensation if necessary land is not found in the right time. As a result, the project implementation might be delayed,” he said.
Under the current scenario, the Bridges Division has already sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for its approval for the cost hike of the project considering the significance of this fast track project and implementing it properly within the stipulated timeframe.
The estimated cost of the much-hyped Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project is likely to see a rise for the third time by around Tk 1,400 crore to take the overall project cost up to Tk 30,193.38 crore as acquisition of additional land is required for the project.
The last and second revision of the Padma Bridge Project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on January 5, 2016 with an estimated cost of Tk 28,793.38 crore to be implemented by December 2018. The Padma Bridge Project was first approved by Ecnec in 2007 with an estimated cost of Tk 10,161.75 crore. Later, the length of the bridge was increased due to change in design for which the estimated cost hiked to Tk 20,507.20 crore which was approved by Ecnec in 2011.
Talking to UNB, a Planning Commission official preferring anonymity said in the original Development Project Proforma (DPP),
Tk 1,299 crore was allocated for the acquisition of some 1,530 hectares of land and the amount has already been spent. “But, now there’s a need to acquire some 2,698 hectares of land for which additional Tk 1,400 crore is needed.”
Under the present circumstances, the official informed, there is a need to acquire additional 1168 hectares of land in Munshiganj, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts.
Talking to the news agency, another official at the Bridges Division said since the allocated amount against land acquisition as per the DPP has already been spent it is not possible now to acquire additional land which is also hampering the project works.
“Besides, the contractor will have to give a huge compensation if necessary land is not found in the right time. As a result, the project implementation might be delayed,” he said.
Under the current scenario, the Bridges Division has already sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for its approval for the cost hike of the project considering the significance of this fast track project and implementing it properly within the stipulated timeframe.
