7 fast-track projects gather pace

Seven fast-track projects have gained momentum as construction is going on in full swing while three of them are nearing end, according to progress reports.

The implementing agencies want to complete the projects on schedule.

Three projects – Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Payra port, and Metro rail service (MRT-6) – have almost finished, an official of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Commission said.

The remaining projects are Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Matarbari power plant, Padma rail link, and Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar-Dohazari rail line.

The Padma Bridge project’s overall progress is 88.75 per cent while its financial progress is 86.13 per cent.

Its estimated cost is Tk 30,193.39 crore and construction started in November 2014.

The much-awaited bridge is expected to be open for all by June next year.

But the project’s duration has been extended multiple times to complete construction and river training.

The Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development project clocked a 72 per cent implementation for MRT-6, a Tk 21,985 crore project. The IMED wants to strengthen its monitoring to accelerate implementation.

The progress of the project’s Uttara to Agargaon part is 89.61 per cent while that of the Agargaon to Motijheel section is 70.57 per cent.

The Payra sea port’s financial progress is 70.52 per cent while its physical progress is 83 per cent.

The IMED report said the project would be completed by June 2022. The estimated cost of the project is Tk 4,374.47 crore.

The report also said the project’s monitoring had increased. The IMED visited the project area and inspected progress as per the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project’s financial progress was 38.89 per cent, and physical progress 40.43 per cent, in October. The physical progress was 39.64 per cent in September.

Padma rail link project’s financial progress was 50.73 per cent in October while physical progress was 46 per cent. The physical progress was 44.5 per cent in September.

The physical progress of the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar-Dohazari rail line project was 64 per cent till October while financial progress was 33.16 per cent.

The financial progress of the Matarbari power plant project is 51.59 per cent while physical progress is 60.8 per cent.

Planning Commission sources said the project’s first revision was awaiting the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council’s approval, adding its cost and duration would increase.