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Mega projects to change economic landscape


Published : 15 Jan 2021 10:00 PM | Updated : 17 Jan 2021 05:14 AM

Some mega projects will change the country’s economic landscape as they will connect many countries of South and Southeast Asia and enormously contribute to communications, trade, industry, tourism and many other sectors in different ways.

The government is putting special emphasis on some development projects which are very likely to return immense feedback to the national economy around within the next two years.

These projects include Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, Elevated Expressway and Bangabandhu Tunnel. The government is trying to complete these projects, which are larger than any other projects in the communications sector, on a priority basis.

Earlier, due to the several obstacles, including the Covid-19, funds crunch, and faulty design, most of the projects could not be materialised in due time. 

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader in a recent press briefing at the secretariat has said the construction of four major communication infrastructures including the Padma Bridge will be completed by June 2022.

"The work of the four mega projects of the government is moving fast. Work on Metro Rail, Padma Bridge, Dhaka Elevated Expressway and Karnaphuli Tunnel is progressing satisfactorily. We will be able to inaugurate all of those in 2022," he added.

Economists and experts concerned said that once these projects were completed, the picture of the country's economy will change. The people of the country will step into the modern communications system by being connected to the international road and rail network. However, a changed Bangladesh is waiting ahead.

BUET Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman said, "It is now important to complete those communications related development infrastructures in a short time, as depending on this other development work will get momentum. The pace of development activities will increase further."

Among the four projects, the target of inaugurating Metrorail by December 2021 will not be achieved, the minister said.

He said after detecting the coronavirus in March last year, the whole country gradually went into a blockade. In this situation, the work of development projects almost stopped. Uncertainty was also created about the completion of the projects. After lifting of the lockdown, development projects work started in full swing from October.

The metro rail authorities are taking special initiatives to bring the rail coaches from Japan by sea ways so that they can conduct the metro rail trail run in time. On the other hand, in a meeting with Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) last Sunday, metro rail fare from Uttara to Agargaon has also been fixed. In the initial stage the fare is Tk 48.25.

The Metrorail (MRT Line-6) will be able to cover the entire route of Uttara-Motijheel, a distance of 20.10 km, in less than 40 minutes. This route can carry at least 60,000 passengers per hour.

Managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited MAN Siddique said, "The progress of the first phase from Uttara to Agargaon is more than 77 per cent. The work of the package with software, system, electrical and mechanical parts is also half completed. The overall progress of the project is more than 50 percent."

On December 10, another new history was created in the country. All spans were installed on the Padma Bridge on this day. The 6.15 km bridge is now visible. The bridge will open to traffic in 2022. Till now overall progress of the project is 82 percent.

When the bridge is completed, there will be a spectacular change in the communications in 29 districts of the southern part of the country.  At least three hours’ time will be saved due to the bridge.

At least one segment of the much-awaited Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE) is expected to open for traffic by the end of this year, officials said.

The project work is divided into three segments — 7.45 kilometers from Airport to Banani, will be constructed in the first part, 5.85 kilometers from Banani to Moghbazar in the second part, and 6.43 kilometers from Moghbazar to Kutubkhali in the final part.

About the overall progress of the project, Director AHMS Akhtar said, "Construction work on about 11 km of the project will be completed by December 2021. Soon after, we will consider opening this part for vehicular traffic".

He also said that preparations were being made to complete the entire work by the middle of the next year. If not, half of it may be opened by the middle of 2022.

The latest progress of Bangabandhu Tunnel is 61 percent. This is one of the mega projects in Chattogram. The people concerned expect that it will be opened for traffic by 2022. About 63 lakh vehicles will pass through this tunnel every year.

Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, project director of the Tunnel said, "Manpower and equipment have been increased to speed up the work. Work is going on in full swing. Work on installing a second tube is continuing".