Home ›› 23 Oct 2022 ›› Special Supplement
Bangladesh once suffered from infrastructure deficiency that hindered potential investment from home and abroad as weaker transportation facilities and fragile road communication were among the prime barriers against doing business.
But over the span of a decade, the situation began to change for the better as the government took up a number of large and effective infrastructure projects to develop transportation systems across the country.
Some of the projects that have already been completed are now contributing to the economy, and the rest are under construction or in the pipeline. This holistic approach is part of building a developed and prosperous country by 2041.
Development activities are going on everywhere to build up a world-class communication system, and the inauguration of Padma Bridge has been the biggest step the country has ever made.
This much-awaited bridge is changing the economic landscape of 21 south and southwestern districts.
Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of World Bank, Dhaka office, said, “The country should expect a GDP growth of 1.2 per cent to 1.7 per cent because of the Padma Bridge. This contribution to the GDP will continue as long as the bridge remains functional.
“If the government can resolve the existing barriers such as connecting Chattogram with other land ports without going through Dhaka city, the projected 1.7 per cent contribution to the GDP could easily hit 3 per cent.”
He added, “In case of new investment, investors will consider the region for investment as land price is comparatively low and affordable. This is because of connectivity created by the bridge, which offers low cost and easy transportation.”
While inaugurating the bridge on June 25 this year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the fortune of the people of the southern region would be brighter as mills and factories alongside food processing industries would be built in the region centering the Padma Bridge and thus employment would be generated.
“We will be able to change the fate of at least 21 districts of the region,” she added.
Consistent with the Perspective Plan (PP) 2021 strategy, the transportation sector, along with the energy, has received high priority in budget allocation.
The Sixth and Seventh Plans have allocated resources for all major projects in line with PP 2021 strategy and priority. Significant new transport infrastructure has been added from FY10 to FY18 for roads and bridges.
According to the latest PP 2021-2041 plan, the country is working to consolidate and upgrade the National Highway Network through multi-laning of existing highways, by establishing access-control long-distance expressways, and by creating service lanes to ease connectivity to local roads.
Strict axle load control policy would be established and enforced to reduce road damages caused by overloading. The focus will be given to develop quality infrastructures with a hallmark attribute of high-speed mobility facilities.
The target would be 80-110 kmph for important highway corridors, which are now operating merely at 25-35 kmph. Bypasses around towns would be planned and provided as access-controlled expressway type facilities with entry/exit at predetermined locations, according to the plan.
Detailed strategy has been taken to improve rail communication and inland water transport systems as well.
Achievements so far and way forward
The government is emphasising on modern, safe and environment-friendly transport and communication infrastructure to take the country to the ranks of developed nations by 2041.
If the projects can be completed as per the plan, Bangladesh will reach a new milestone in the communication system. Employment will increase and the tourism industry will develop further. The overall economy of the country will improve.
Bangladesh is establishing a network of all kinds of communication systems – such as metrorail, elevated expressway, fly overs, and marine drive – similar to other developed countries.
The country’s first expressway – the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga highway – has already been inaugurated, and it has been providing smooth rides to Southern districts. The communication with Mongla Port and Khulna region is smoother now with inauguration of two newly constructed bridges over the Madhumati and Kacha Rivers.
In a latest development, the government has planned to inaugurate 100 new bridges this month that have been constructed on regional highways and district roads at a cost of Tk 906.32 crore. The bridges are expected to boost the road network further.
In July 2016, the government inaugurated the 192-kilometer Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway, which has been called a lifeline of the economy. More roads, including the country’s first eight-lane highway from Jatrabari to Kanchpur, and the spectacular Itna-Mithamoin-Austagram all-weather road in Kishoreganj were inaugurated during this government’s tenure.
Besides, the government is planning to turn a portion of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway into an expressway, as there are 10 economic zones planned in the Mymensingh zone.
Meanwhile, the government is all set to start the physical work to expand the 210 km Dhaka-Sylhet Highway into a four-lane soon, to improve connectivity between Dhaka and Southeast region at a cost of Tk 16,918.59 crore.
The government formulated an action plan to establish a state-of-the-art strong network of public transport systems consisting of 6 Metro Rail routes covering the distance of 128.741 Kilometers, which will have 104 stations in Dhaka city and its adjoining areas by 2030.
The Uttara-Agargaon portion of this transportation system will be inaugurated in December this year, allowing passenger transportation from dawn to midnight every day.
Another milestone knocking at the door is the three and a half km long Bangabandhu Tunnel under the river Karnaphuli in Chittagong, which will connect Karnaphuli and Anwara upazilas with Chattogram city similar to Shanghai in China.
The four-lane tunnel, expected to be inaugurated in December this year, will help develop the Chattogram city in the “One City and Two Town” model, connecting Dhaka-Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar with the Asian Highway.
In May, 2017, the 80-kilometer Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive along the Bay of Bengal was inaugurated. This marine drive is the world’s largest till date.
Bangladesh took another step towards development through a ground-breaking runway construction in sea water. Cox’s Bazar Airport is one of the best airports located in coastal cities of the world.
Apart from this, the upgradation of Syedpur airport to international airport has started. North-eastern states of India including Nepal, Bhutan will be able to use this airport.
Keeping the tourism industry in mind, the government has made extensive development in the communication sector in the three underdeveloped hill districts as well.
In January this year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the longest bridge in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the Chengi River in Rangamati.
Rail has been getting attention in the past decade for expansion and modernisation to bring the whole of the country under the network. The ongoing Padma Bridge rail link project would bring Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Narail – under the coverage of the railway network.
The railway track will go through seven districts of Dhaka division – Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur and Gopalganj – and two districts of Khulna Division – Narail and Jashore.
According to the project plan, the connectivity would lead to a GDP growth increase by 1 per cent. Besides, it would not take more than three to four hours to reach Kolkata from Dhaka once the project is completed.
Besides, the government has taken a 30-year master plan for the development of railway, which includes expansion, construction and renovation of new railways, conversion of dual gauge, opening of new and closed railway stations, introduction of new trains and extension of train services and procurement of train coaches.
Construction of 900 km of dual gauge double rail track and 1,581 km of new rail track, rehabilitation of 1,527 km of rail track, procurement of 31 locomotives, rehabilitation of 100 passenger coaches and upgradation of signaling systems at 222 stations are planned.
The Cox’s Bazar Rail Link is a much anticipated rail project, which will connect Dohazari and Cox’s Bazar. This mega project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase of the work has already started. The rail link will be completed by 2023.
Meanwhile, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SACEC) – involving Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan – is progressing to develop an integrated cross border communication system.
Another landmark development project is the deep seaport being constructed in Matarbari of Cox’s Bazar. The first of its kind port will reduce pressure on the Chittagong port.
Journalist based in Dhaka. He can be reached at [email protected]
