The country's economy has been under pressure for a while now due to the global economic downturn situation, the dollar crisis and rising inflation. Amidst this, the unprecedented chaos surrounding the quota reform movement has led to significant damage to various infrastructures, including those of the export sector, leading to further economic deterioration.
To address this damage, the government is considering a reassessment of priorities in the Annual Development Programme (ADP). As a result, changes could be coming in the ADP allocations, according to sources in the Finance Division and the Planning Commission.
Sources indicate that it will take some more time to fully understand the extent of the damage to business, commerce and the economy from the eight days of conflict and violence and five days of complete curfew.
However, visible signs of damage across the country have already emerged as the situation calmed down over the past few days.
During the violence that spiralled out from the quota reform movement of students and job seekers, many government structures were attacked, vandalised and/or set on fire.
These establishments include the SetuBhaban, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority office, Department of Disaster Management office, Directorate General of Health Services, Mirpur Indoor Stadium, two metro rail stationsat Kazipara and Mirpur-10, railway engines and coaches, Bangladesh Television, Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyovertoll plaza, Elevated Expressway toll plaza at Mohakhali, Fire Service and Civil Defence stations, police stations and boxes, the Police Bureau of Investigation(PBI) office at Bansree, garbage trucks of Dhaka North City Corporation, community centres at Uttara and Mohammadpur, DNCC Hospital at Mohakhali, passport and PBI offices at Signboard,and Narsingdi District Jail.
The government has said that 55 vehicles were torched at SetuBhaban while 53 vehicles and 16 motorcycles were completely destroyedat the Disaster Management office. The fire also caused damage to network servers and other equipment.
According to preliminary information, the ministry estimates the damage to be around Tk 500crore.
Regarding the metro rail stations, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited Managing Director MAN Siddiquetold reportersthat it may take a year to repair these two stations and resume operation due to the extent of the damage. Authorities are also uncertain about when normal services will resume.
According to the Bangladesh Railway, 40 coaches from four trains were vandalised and set on fire, including seven coaches from the Sonar Bangla Express, 13 from the Chattala Express, six from the Jamalpur Express, eight from the Parabat Express, and two from the Kishoreganj Express. Four coaches of the Kishoreganj Express were completely burned.
Additionally, engines of the Chattala Express, Kishoreganj Express and Karnaphuli Commuter were also vandalised.
Moreover, numerous damages occurred to prisons, various police establishments, fire stations, local government offices, municipalities, passport offices, roads and many other places.
The government will need funds to repair these damaged structures. Additionally, there are existing government projects that need to be implemented as well.
For this reason, the government is considering reallocating the ADP on a priority basis. However, while no formal proposal has yet been prepared on this matter, discussions are ongoing among officials in the Finance Division.
Finance Division officials have said that the ADP might be cut and re-prioritised but no formal action has been taken on this matter yet.
The government has considered the restoration of damaged institutions and will give attention to these issues.However, some of the destroyed buildings, vehicles and railway coaches may not be repairable and may need to be replaced, especially some vehicles that might need to be purchased anew.
Economist Ahsan H Mansur, the executive director of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, said that public service providers like metro rail and the elevated expressway, which have been damaged, need to be prioritised for repair.
“Given the various economic challenges, the government must also focus on selecting and implementing projects carefully,” he said.
“Funds should be allocated to these critical services, and projects that can be deferred should be postponed to reduce economic pressure. Implementing projects indiscriminately would exacerbate the economic strain,” he stressed.
