Project gets one-year extension to June 2025 with Tk 35.44m funds

The government has extended the execution deadline of the Padma Bridge railway link project with a substantial allocation of Tk 35.44 billion in the next development budget, officials said on Saturday.

As the Bangladesh Railway (BR) failed to construct the 172-km railway line, a 'fast-track' mega project within its stipulated six-year period ending in June 2024, the government has to extend the deadline by one more year up to June 2025, they said.

The BR also failed to spend Tk 55 billion funds allocated under the current Annual Development Programme (ADP) and surrendered Tk 7.14 billion in the revised ADP two months ago.

Railway ministry officials said that although the construction of 82km Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga section has already been completed, the Bhanga-Jashore section requires more time to complete the entire project.

"The BR has already surrendered 13 per cent of its annual development budget due to the implementation failure," said a senior official at the Planning Commission.

The government in May 2016 undertook the mega project at a cost of Tk 349.89 billion and set a target to complete it on a fast-track basis by June 2022.

Of the total cost, Tk 102.398 billion was supposed to come from the internal resources while Tk 247.49 billion from the external resources as project assistance from the Chinese government on G-to-G basis.

But the BR has failed to start the physical work even in two years, compelling the government to revise the project in May 2018 with raising the cost to Tk 392.47 billion.

When asked, a senior PC official said it is frustrating to note that the BR is failing repeatedly to complete its projects in time, resulting in a time and cost overrun.

Although the Padma Bridge railway link is one of the 'fast-track' projects of the government, the implementing agency's delay in completion of the entire work pushed up the cost by Tk 42.58 billion, he added.

If the project could be completed timely, the people would have enjoyed services before the current schedule and the project could be completed at costs estimated initially, the PC official added.

Meanwhile, the PC last week approved the Tk 2.65 trillion ADP for FY2024-25 where it allocated Tk 35.44 billion funds for the struggling railway link project.

Out of the outlay, Tk 17.75 billion will be provided by the Chinese EXIM bank and the remaining Tk 17.69 billion from the government's internal resources.

The railway link is a flagship project for Bangladesh as the country's less-developed southwestern region was connected to the capital city by roads via the Padma Bridge.

In August 2016, the BR appointed a Chinese contractor to build the rail link from Dhaka to Jashore via the Padma Bridge and Bhanga in Faridpur.

The railway has begun commercial operations on the Dhaka-Bhanga section.

"However, full-track installation will require additional time," said a BR official, adding, "Once completed, the project will connect the underdeveloped southern districts with the developed central region."

The single-track line is designed for a maximum speed of 120 km per hour. The rail corridor via the bridge provides a direct rail link between Dhaka and southern areas, especially Mongla seaport and Benapole land port.

The total track length is 215.22 km, including a 172km broad-gauge main line and 43.22 km of loops and sidings.

The BR will also import 100 broad-gauge passenger coaches under the project.

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