When should four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong highway end?

In a country with limited resources, this substantial increase in expenditure is simply unacceptable

It is surprising to note that once again the expenditure of constructing the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway has been increased by Tk. 626 crore. In an ECNEC meeting yesterday, which was presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, it was for the fourth time both the expenditure and completion time limit of the project was extended. During the last 10 years, increase in expenditure stands at a total of Tk 1648 crore.
In a poor country with limited resources, this substantial increase in expenditure is simply unacceptable. This obviously reflects flaws in the planning of this crucially important piece of infrastructure. And who can tell there was no mismanagement and malfeasance in the implementation of the project? Had the project could be completed by 2012, its original timeline, not only the cost could have been saved; once completed, it would also have immensely benefitted the economy of the country, not to mention the reduction in travel time and ease the four-lane highway would have ensued.
Through this highway, the volume of the traffic, commercial or otherwise, is greater than any other route of the country and with each passing day load of the traffic is increasing. It is the lifeline of Bangladesh’s business and commerce and, besides reducing the travel time, the four-lane highway would also reduce the fatal road accidents. And who can guarantee that the completion of the project is still not in a state of uncertainty and would be done by the end of the fresh timeline?
Before, the delay, we were told, was due to the fund constraint but yesterday in the press briefing after the approval of extension of the project timeline and cost in the ECNEC meeting, the planning minister said that there were ‘some’ problems at the start of the project which he did not clear. Now, the minister must clarify what were these problems and why they could not be avoided.
 Moreover, the planning minister’s words also prove that what was previously said about the fund constraint was not true. It is now expected that within 2016, the fresh timeline, the authorities would be able to complete this four-lane highway. The main transportation artery of Bangladesh, Dhaka-Chittagong highway also forms a critical component of the proposed Asian Highway and the Central-South-East Asian economic corridor. Thus completion of the project is a pressing need for this poor country and relevant authorities for constructing the highway must realise it. 

 

When should four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong highway end?

In a country with limited resources, this substantial increase in expenditure is simply unacceptable

It is surprising to note that once again the expenditure of constructing the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway has been increased by Tk. 626 crore. In an ECNEC meeting yesterday, which was presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, it was for the fourth time both the expenditure and completion time limit of the project was extended. During the last 10 years, increase in expenditure stands at a total of Tk 1648 crore. In a poor country with limited resources, this substantial increase in expenditure is simply unacceptable. This obviously reflects flaws in the planning of this crucially important piece of infrastructure. And who can tell there was no mismanagement and malfeasance in the implementation of the project? Had the project could be completed by 2012, its original timeline, not only the cost could have been saved; once completed, it would also have immensely benefitted the economy of the country, not to mention the reduction in travel time and ease the four-lane highway would have ensued. Through this highway, the volume of the traffic, commercial or otherwise, is greater than any other route of the country and with each passing day load of the traffic is increasing. It is the lifeline of Bangladeshs business and commerce and, besides reducing the travel time, the four-lane highway would also reduce the fatal road accidents. And who can guarantee that the completion of the project is still not in a state of uncertainty and would be done by the end of the fresh timeline? Before, the delay, we were told, was due to the fund constraint but yesterday in the press briefing after the approval of extension of the project timeline and cost in the ECNEC meeting, the planning minister said that there were some problems at the start of the project which he did not clear. Now, the minister must clarify what were these problems and why they could not be avoided. Moreover, the planning ministers words also prove that what was previously said about the fund constraint was not true. It is now expected that within 2016, the fresh timeline, the authorities would be able to complete this four-lane highway. The main transportation artery of Bangladesh, Dhaka-Chittagong highway also forms a critical component of the proposed Asian Highway and the Central-South-East Asian economic corridor. Thus completion of the project is a pressing need for this poor country and relevant authorities for constructing the highway must realise it.