Project implementation delays pull PM’s ire
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed serious disappointment above delays found in the implementation of creation projects, which are often designed without proper setting up or feasibility studies.
Her most recent displeasure was targeted at two projects which were adopted in 2013 and 2017 respectively. These were up for revision at the assembly of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday.
The projects are: Widening and Improvement of Khulna Shipyard Road (1st revised) project and the Land Acquisition for Road widening of Nangalbandh-Minar Bari part of Langalbandh-Kaikartek-Nabiganj district highway (1st revised) project.
"The prime minister has expressed deep disappointment. We try to learn why projects are staying delayed. You will find a insufficient coordination," Setting up Minister MA Mannan advised reporters after the meeting.
The Khulna Shipyard Street Widening and Development Job was taken in 2013 at an estimated cost of Tk 98.91 crore. The price has now risen more than two times to Tk 259.21 crore.
The Khulna Production Authority is the implementing agency of the project, which includes been initiated by the housing and public works ministry.
In line with the project document, the price of territory acquisition rose when the district administrator set the cost of 6.277 acres of terrain and properties at 1.5 times bigger under past rules and 1.026 acres at three times higher after the publishing of the gazette.
The design of the road has also changed. The street submerges by one foot to two feet during rainy periods and tides going back four to five years, the document said.
The street works as a protection bank to protect the city. So, through the building, the consultant got into account the highest flood level.
The proposed road would be elevated by three feet to four feet more weighed against the current road.
The subsoil condition of Khulna isn't good, in line with the document. To increase the bearing ability of the subsoil, extra pavements, bridges, culverts, drains, footpaths and retaining walls have already been added.
The cost has gone up as the expenditure has been estimated on the foundation on rate scheduling.
If the street is built, it could ensure a safe and congestion-free traffic activity in the town. The Ecnec yesterday prolonged the deadline of the task to December 2022.
The road widening from Langalbandh to Minarbari project on the Langalbandh-Kaikertek-Nabiganj district highway under the Bandar upazila of Narayanganj is aimed at offering safety and time- and cost-efficient road communications.
The roads and highways department may be the implementing agency.
When the project was initially approved in February 2017, the federal government estimated the price at Tk 121.57 crore. Now, the price has gone up to Tk 260.42 crore.
Under the initial revision, the deadline has been pushed to December 2021. The main component of the project is to obtain 8.84 acres of territory.
The expense of the project has truly gone up Tk 96.44 crore due to the increase in the price tag on land and compensation in line with the latest land acquisition regulation. The amount of territory possesses remained the same, based on the project document.
Another Tk 42.30 crore has been contained in the project in probable added expenditure for territory acquisition and compensation.
In total, the Ecnec approved six assignments with an outlay around Tk 1,137 crore.
Of the sum, Tk 1,028 crore will come from the federal government and Tk 108.30 crore from foreign sources as job assistance.
The additional projects are Intensification of crops in the greater Mymensingh region project involving Tk 123.66 crore, Re-excavation of Titas River and Homna upazilas in Cumilla at a price of Tk 76.25 crore; Protection of Jamuna River's Best suited Lender from erosion at Goghat, Khanbari and surrounding areas of Sadar and Sundarganj upazilas of Gaibandha job involving Tk 401.79 crore; and Char Advancement and Settlement Project-Bridging (Additional Financing) (BWDB portion) with Tk 263.67 crore.
Both the prime minister and the look minister joined the getting together with from Ganobhaban through a videoconference, while other Ecnec people were connected from NEC Bhaban, reported UNB.
