Govt unfazed by slow pace of fast-track projects
�All but the Padma Bridge construction project were progressing very slowly�
JAGARAN CHAKMA
Though there is no visible progress in the fast-track projects, the monitoring task force committee is happy with the snails pace at which they are proceeding. According to the latest minutes of the committees meeting, held in September, which was distributed recently to the different ministries: The committee expressed satisfaction over the progress of the seven fast-track projects. The cost of six among seven projects was estimated at Tk 1.57 trillion, while the cost of the lone remaining project is yet to be estimated. According to the finance ministry, the implementation cost of the fast-track projects would cross Tk 2.50 trillion. In the latest evaluation of the finance ministry, all the projectsexcept the Padma Bridge construction projectwere progressing very slowly. Among these, the government wants to construct a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in two years, the Padma Bridge in three years, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in two years, the Rampal thermal power plant in eight years, the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development (metro rail) project in eight years, the Matarbari coal-fired power plant in eight years, and the Payra Port in eight years. In his budget speech this year, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said these seven projects would boost the countrys gross domestic product (GDP). The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) is over
seeing these eight projects. Earlier, the principal secretary at the PMO, Abul Kalam Azad, said the government wants to complete the projects within the stipulated time. The much-hyped Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB), 92 per cent of which is self-financed while the rest is financed with Indian grants, is scheduled to be completed in 2018. According to the meetings minutes, barely 13.5 per cent of the work on the construction of the main bridge has been completed. The cost of the project is estimated at Tk 20,507 crore, but sources in the finance ministry said the construction cost has already increased to Tk 28,793 crore. Some 48.5 per cent of the work of building the Jazeera connecting road, and 50 per cent of the Mawa connecting road, have been completed in time. Besides, 8.5 per cent of the river training work has been finished. The committee expressed satisfaction over the progress of the PMB project.
With respect to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, first and second agreements have been signed, and the other agreements are on track. The project cost has been estimated at Tk. 5,087 crore; it is scheduled to be completed by 2017. The final agreement is yet to be signed with the Atomstroy Export of the Russian State Atomic Energy Commission, which is implementing the project. The Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (metro rail) has been divided into eight packages. Tenders have already been floated for six packages, while the rest of the tenders for the two packages will be floated later. Of the total project cost of Tk 21,985 crore, Tk 5,390 crore would come from the government exchequer, while Japan would provide aid totalling Tk 16,598 crore for the project. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2024. The minister also said the work of the basic design for the metro rail has been completed and 48 per cent work of the design details has been completed. At this moment, topographic and other surveys are going on. About the construction of LNG terminal, the minutes noted that a term sheet agreement between Petrobangla and Excelerate Energy Limited (EEL) has been signed, and a metrological ocean study has been completed. A tender has been floated, seeking applications for carrying out the primary task of the project.The finance minister, in his budget speech, said the supply of gas would begin by mid-2017 by importing LNG. Regarding the Payra deep sea port, the minutes said the detailed project proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission and the project evaluation committees meeting on the proposal has been held. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the countrys third seaport at Ramnabad channel under Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district in 2013.
It is scheduled to be completed by 2015, at a cost of Tk 1,144 crore. The tender for 70 per cent export credit agency (ECA) financing has been floated and the contract will be awarded by 2016. The project cost of Rampal power station, also known as the Maitree Super Thermal Power Station, is estimated at Tk 14,583 crore.
Thirty per cent of the expenses would be met jointly by Bangladesh and India and the remaining 70 per cent would be financed by loans. It is scheduled to be completed by 2019. A total of 1,834 acres of lands on the bank of the Pashur, close to the Sundarbans, has been selected for the project. Land-filling is going on in some parts of the project area. About the Matarbari 2x600 megawatt (MW) ultra super critical coal fire plantwhich comprises two power plants with a generation capacity of 600MW each at Moheshkhali in Coxs Bazaris scheduled to be implemented by 2023 at cost of Tk 35,984 crore. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide funding for the project. Already 1,500 acres of land have been acquired and the consultant for the project has been appointed. Pre-qualification has been invited for appointment of contractor for the Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) contract. Besides, other activities of the project are going on, the minutes added.
