Tk 5,651cr project to construct elevated roads in haor

The government will construct 15 kilometre elevated roads in haor region from Mithamoin to Karimganj connecting Mithamoin Cantonment to ease transportation in the haor region.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority will implement the project ‘Construction of Elevated Road from Mithamoin headquarters of Kishoreganj to Morichkhali of Karimganj.

The executive committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 11 projects with an expenditure of about Tk 10,640.58 crore with Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Sheikh Hasina in the chair on Tuesday.

“The government will finance Tk 7,827.50 crore in the projects and Tk 2,880.18 crore will come as project assistance,” Planning Minister MA Mannan told reporters after the ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room on Tuesday.

Of the 11 projects the ECNEC approved on the day,  six are new while five are revised ones, he said.

The minister said the total cost of the elevated road project in haor is estimated at Tk 5,651 crore which will come from the government exchequer. The project will be implemented between March 2023 and June 2028.

The main features of the project include construction of 15.13 kilometers elevated road, widening of 13.40 kilometres existing road, construction of four bridges, construction of 13 toll plazas, toll monitoring buildings and check posts, construction of 13 kilometers submersible road, four deep tube wells, four footbridges, construction of 40,468 square metre construction yard, 8,224 square metre bus stops and 151.09 acres of land acquisition, according to the project proposal.

Besides, some 13.40km existing road from Nakbhanga roundabout to Morichkhali Bazar would be widened in order to establish smooth and uninterrupted all weather road communication among Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram upazilas with Kishoreganj Sadar, Dhaka, Sylhet and other districts, the proposal also said.

Besides, the costs for construction of Karnaphuli tunnel project have increased one again by Tk 315 crore due to the increase of dollar price. Now the total cost of the project rose to Tk 10,689 crore. Deadline for completed the project has also been extended by one more year till December 2023 and the ECNEC approved it.

About present economic crisis, State Minister for Planning Prof Shamsul Alam said, “There will be no economic crisis in Bangladesh as our inflation is decreasing, export and remittance is increasing. Within a short time, our reserve will increase.”

Asked about the scheme to procure electronic voting machines (EVMs), the planning minister said the day’s meeting had no discussion on EVMs.

“We did not hold a project evaluation meeting on this project. After completing the regular process, it will be placed before the ECNEC for approval,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has finalised a project proposal of Tk 8,711 crore for the purchase of two lakh more EVMs. The project is yet to be approved. Currently, the Ministry of Planning is scrutinizing the project.