Five Mega projects still lagging behind

Funding remains ongoing

Mahfuz Emran: The government’s highest priority 8 mega project has not been affected by the ongoing crisis. While many projects were cut, these were exceptions. Allocation of these projects was always according to demand. But compared to that, the desired progress has not been made. Till now the implementation of three projects is reaching 100 percent. The remaining five are behind. Tk 207,924.89 crore has been spent under these projects from the beginning till last August. In this case, the financial progress has been 72.30 percent. Besides, the average physical progress stands at 84.66 percent. The total cost of implementation of the projects has been estimated at Tk 306,268.92 crore. This information was revealed in the progress report of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED). The three projects ahead are Padma Bridge, Rampal Power Project and Payra Deep Sea Port. Their actual progress is 99.80 percent, 95.63 percent and 93.12 percent respectively. Meanwhile, the five projects that are lagging behind are-Ruppur Nuclear Power Project, Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Program, Metro Rail Line-6, Rail Link at Padma Bridge and Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar-Ghundhum Railway Line Construction Project. Their actual progress is 60.46 percent, 78.30 percent, 80 percent, 82 and 88 percent respectively.
If asked about this, IMED Secretary Abul Kashem Mohiuddinsaid Daily Industry, “We conduct on-site inspection of fast-track mega projects once every four months. I myself went to see several projects. It is being done compulsorily. Along with this, monthly progress reports are also prepared. Three projects are nearing completion. It can’t be said that the rest are too far behind. However, progress can’t be increased by force. So far, these projects are on track. There is nothing that needs to be done by October.
Review of report
Padma Bridge: Although inaugurated on June 25, 2022, the work of the Padma Bridge project is still ongoing. Tk 29,296.18 crore has been spent under the project till last August. Financial progress stands at 89.85 percent. The physical progress of the entire project has been 99.80 percent. A total expenditure of Tk 32,605.52 crore has been estimated for its implementation. The project started operations in January 2009. The period has been extended several times. In the meantime, recently the expenditure has been increased by Tk 1,117.97 crore.
Rampal Power Project: Tk 16,000 crore are being spent on its implementation. Tk 14,432 crores have been spent till last August, the financial progress is 90.20 percent. The overall physical progress has been 95.63 percent.
Payra Deep Sea Port: This project is being implemented at a cost of Tk 4,374 crore. Tk 3,752.13 crore has been spent till last August. Financial progress was 85.77 percent and physical progress stood at 93.12 percent.
Metrorail Line-6: Uttara-Agargaon section of this project was inaugurated on December 28, 2022. Now about 80,000 passengers are traveling in this part every day. But the completion of the entire project will have to wait till December 2025. However, the section may be inaugurated till Motijheel on October 20, said the project stakeholders. Now the trial is going on. Tk 22,814.35 crore has been spent under the project from the beginning till August. Financial progress has been 68.15 percent. Besides, physical progress is 80 percent. The total cost of implementing the project, including the revised cost, stands at Tk 33,471.99 crore. It is expected to be implemented between July 2012 and December 2025. Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director told earlier that it is hoped that the implementation of the project will be completed before time. Now 80 thousand passengers are running daily. If opened up to Motijheel, lakhs of passengers will be able to travel comfortably.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Project: The physical progress of the project has stood at 60.46 percent since inception till August. Tk 65,830.28 crore has been spent so far under the project, the financial progress has been 58.21 percent. Tk 113,092.91 crore is being spent on the implementation of the project. It is targeted for implementation between July 2016 and December 2025. The project could come into production by the end of 2024. Along with this, the current debt repayment complications continue.
Rail connection to Padma Bridge: Tk 29,933.53 crore has been spent till last August, financial progress has been 76.27 percent. Besides, physical progress has been 82 percent. Its implementation will cost a total of Tk 39,246 crores. The project is targeted for implementation between January 2016 and June 2024.
Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Activities: There are 12 projects associated with this project. Its cost is estimated at Tk 51,854.88 crore. Implementation is targeted between July 2014 and June 2026. Tk 33,777.96 crore has been spent till last August, the financial progress is 65.14 percent. The overall progress of the project stands at 78.30 percent.
Construction of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar-Ghundhum railway: Tk 18,034.48 crore is being spent on the implementation of this project. Tk 8,088.46 crore has been spent till last August. The financial progress of the project has been 44.85 percent. Besides, physical progress has been 88 percent.