Zafar Ahmed, Senior Correspondent,
bdnews24.com
Published: 09 Mar 2021 01:49 AM BdST
Updated: 09 Mar 2021 01:49 AM BdST
The road transport and bridges ministry has applied for a two-year extension to complete the Padma Bridge project even though Minister Obaidul Quader announced that the bridge would be opened in 2022. );
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In an application to the Ministry of Planning, the road transport ministry cited delays to the work caused by the coronavirus pandemic for seeking the time extension.
After overcoming numerous hurdles, the construction of Bangladesh s longest bridge over the Padma River started in 2014 using the country s own funds.
The government was working to open the bridge to traffic on the golden jubilee of Bangladesh s independence this year but the plans hit a snag following the outbreak of the coronavirus in March last year.
NEC approves Tk 1,97,643cr RADP for FY21
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DHAKA, March 2, 2021 (BSS) – The National Economic Council (NEC) today approved a Taka 1,97,643 crore Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) for the current fiscal year (FY21) keeping highest priority to the transport sector.
The approval came from a meeting of the NEC held at its conference room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The Prime Minister chaired the meeting through video conferencing from her official Ganobhaban residence.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Division secretary Mohammad Jainul Bari said that that Taka 7,501.72 crore were cut from the original ADP size of Taka 2,05,145 crore for the current fiscal year.
More workforce needed to finish Padma Bridge timely
Finishing the Padma Bridge construction in time will require working round the clock in more than one shifts and in line with a time-bound action plan, suggests the Planning Commission.
In an inspection report, the Commission said the project has no technical problem now and the work should be advanced by working 24 hours with engaging the highest number of workforce.
Planning Commission’s Implementation monitoring and evaluation division (IMED) made the advice after it found a lack of workforce in the important project after visiting the project physically recently, sources said.
“The country’s image and economic development are tied to this very important project. But an inspection could not find an adequate workforce for implementing such a project in time,” the report said.
JS body meeting on govt. assurances committee held
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DHAKA, Feb 17, 2021 (BSS) – The 20th meeting of the government assurances committee was held today at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban with committee chairman Professor Md. Ali Ashraf in the chair.
Committee members Alhajj Md. Dabirul Islam, Md. Mujibul Haque, Abdul Mannan, Fakhrul Imam and Aroma Dutta joined the meeting, said an official press release.
The meeting reviewed progress of the implementation of the decisions taken in its earlier meeting.
During the meeting, the committee recommended to implement the work of the projects with stipulated time to ensure transparency and accountability.
The meeting called for increasing the scope of work at the district and upazila level to implement the government’s commitment and recommended to make the freedom fighters list carefully.
Payra Port continues to witness delays, cost spiral
The cost of two projects related to the much-hyped Payra Sea Port continues to shoot up and their completion is facing delays although the port belongs to the government s list of fast-track projects.
The lack of a proper feasibility study, inappropriate cost estimations and reluctance of the project officials are mainly responsible for the delays in the port s infrastructure development and the rising construction costs.
Most of the projects linked to the port faced delays while at least one proposal on costs has been revised so far.
Another such revised proposal will be placed in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) today.