In a remarkable turn of events, Bangladesh is on the brink of a monumental transformation as the completion of six mega projects looms on the horizon.
These ambitious endeavors, scheduled to be finalized within the next two months, are poised to redefine the nation's communication system and usher in a new era of progress and prosperity for its people.
With a broad spectrum of sectors targeted, the impact of these projects is expected to extend far beyond the realm of infrastructure, touching the lives of every citizen and bolstering the country's economy. As anticipation builds, Bangladesh stands on the precipice of an unprecedented leap forward, ready to unleash a host of benefits and unlock new possibilities for its bright future.
In its unwavering commitment to propel the country's communication system to new heights, the government has once again prioritized the implementation of mega projects, with a particular focus on the communication sector, in this year's budget.
Padma Rail link
The Dhaka-Mawa part of the Dhaka to Bhanga rail line via the Padma Bridge will be ready for train operation by this September. Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan confirmed this a few days back while visiting the padma rail link construction area.
With this, train operation on the 81 km Dhaka-Bhanga part will start in September and the Dhaka- Jashore rail line will be ready for train operation by June, next year.
According to the project information, 20 stations are being constructed on the line from Kamalapur to Jashore under the Padma Rail Connection Project. Of these, 14 stations will be new. The six old stations will be revamped to make them up-to-date.
According to the project sources, the Padma Bridge rail link project was estimated to cost Tk 34,988.86 crore at the time of approval of the DPP in 2016. China Exim Bank is financing the project on a G2G basis. Of this, China's Exim Bank will provide loan assistance of about Tk 21,000 crore.The final loan agreement was signed with China in April 2018. The remaining money would be spent from government funds.
Metro Rail:
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has already commenced a trial run till Motijheel from Agargaon from Friday. This integrated trial run will continue till October 15 and following all these the MRT-6 line from Uttara to Motijheel will be fully operational by the end of October.
In terms of overall progress, as of June 30, the MRT Line-6 project has achieved an impressive average progress rate of 95.39 percent. The Uttara North to Agargaon section has reached completion at 100 percent, while the Agargaon to Motijheel section stands at 95.20 percent progress. The Electrical and Mechanical System and Rolling Stock and Depot Equipment work has achieved a progress rate of 90.24 percent. However, the progress of the Motijheel to Kamalapur section is at 7.50 percent.
Among the stations along the route, Bijoy Sharani Metrorail Station has attained a work progress rate of 97 percent, Farmgate Metrorail Station stands at 98 percent, Karwan Bazar Metrorail Station showcases a progress rate of 95 percent, Shahbagh Metrorail Station demonstrates a rate of 94 percent progress, Dhaka University Metrorail Station has achieved 97 percent progress, Bangladesh Secretariat Metrorail Station stands at 86 percent progress, and Motijheel Metrorail Station has reached a progress rate of 95 percent.
The 20.1-kilometre long metro rail line lies through Uttara Phase-3 and the Bangladesh Bank in Motijheel via Uttara North, Uttara Center, Pallabi, Mirpur Circle-10, RokeyaSarani, Khamarbari, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre, DoyelChatwar and Jatiya Press Club.
The JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) provided around Taka 16,600 crore as project assistance out of the total cost of Taka 22,000 crore.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway:
The country’s first elevated expressway will be opened in September. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the under-construction Dhaka Elevated Expressway from Airport to Farmgate section (12 km) in September.
By opening the Expressway a much awaited dream of the people of the capital will be fulfilled.
During a visit of the Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday, a test drive was conducted which took only 10 minutes to travel the 12 km road from the airport to Tejgaon.
The Dhaka Elevated Expressway will run from Kawla south of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Kuril-Banani-Mahakhali-Tejgaon-Mogbazar-Kamalapur-Syedabad-Jatrabari.
If the project is fully implemented, traffic congestion in Dhaka city will be greatly reduced and travel time and cost will be reduced. The main elevated expressway is 19.73 km. The project has a total of 27 km long 31 ramps for boarding and alighting. The total length of elevated expressway including ramps is 46.73 km.
The 20 km long expressway is being constructed in public-private partnership. Tk 8940 crores are being spent on it. Out of this, the government is bearing Tk 2413 crores. The project is being completed in three phases. The overall work progress of the project is 63.20 percent.
Third Terminal:
Construction work of the third terminal at HazratShahjalal International Airport is progressing well with an impressive completion rate of 77.5 percent. The project is on track for its soft opening in October.
Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md Mofidur Rahman confirmed this recently.
Spanning an area of 542,000 square meters, the third terminal boasts aprons capable of accommodating up to 37 aircraft simultaneously. The terminal building itself will cover an impressive 230,000 square meters and will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies from around the world.
Notably, the terminal will feature a rapid exit and connecting taxiway, as well as a main road adjacent to Le Meridien Hotel for convenient access to the airport. Furthermore, plans are underway to construct a subway connecting the Dhaka Elevated Expressway to the airport, further enhancing transportation options for travelers. The project received approval from ECNEC in October 2017.
The initiative for the third terminal dates back to 2015 when a feasibility study report was presented to the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, recognizing the importance of the project, directed the authorities to expedite its implementation. Upon completion, HazratShahjalal International Airport will have the capacity to handle 0.8 million passengers and 0.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Bangabandhu Tunnel:
The first ever under river tunnel in SouthEast Asia is Bangabandhu Tunnel constructed under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under construction under the Karnaphuli River is fully ready for traffic. Tunnel progress is 97.5 percent. Last minute electrical system work is continuing.
It is expected that after the opening of this tunnel, the economic picture of both banks of the Karnaphuli River will change, which will contribute uniquely to the country's growth.
Project Director (PD) Md. Harunur Rashid Chowdhury said, “We have completed 99.5 percent of the main tunnel and the overall progress of the construction work of the project is 97.5 percent. The tunnel is likely to be opened by September.
The Bangabandhu tunnel which is being built at a cost of Tk 103.84 billion will directly connect the port city with South Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. After inauguration of the tunnel, road communication with Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka and Chattogram would be very easy and faster.
The total length of the tunnel is around 9.092 kilometres including 3.40 kilometres under the Karnaphuli river with an approach road of 4.89 kilometres alongside 740 metres of bridges linking the main port city and western side of the Karnaphuli along with the heavy industry-prone eastern side of the river.
The tunnel is being constructed at a depth of 18 to 31 metres under the Karnaphuli. The length of each of the two tubes, having four lanes, is 2.45km. Each of the tubes has a 10.80-metre diameter.
The work of the south tube of the Bangabandhu tunnel was completed last November. However, the first tube was finished on August 2 in 2020. Boring for the second tube began on December 12 in 2020, and construction was completed on October 7 in 2021.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant:
Science and Technology Minister Architect Yafes Osman said that the production of the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will start in September this year.
After the installation of heavy parts, preparations for fuel management are underway. Authorities say three-quarters of the construction work is complete. The construction of this project in Pabna with the aim of generating 2400 megawatts of electricity through two units of nuclear power is nearing completion.
Two third generation reactors of VVER 1200 type funded by Russia will provide electricity to Bangladesh safely for hundreds of years at relatively low cost. At the same time, the country will also rise to a new level of technology use.
With the culmination of these six mega projects, Bangladesh is poised to emerge as a country of immense potential and possibilities. The improved communication infrastructure, enhanced transportation networks, and advanced technological facilities will undoubtedly stimulate economic growth and offer its citizens a better quality of life. The completion of these projects reflects Bangladesh's commitment to progress and innovation, heralding a new era for the nation.