Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway

Hampered by continued political turmoil for the last quarter of the year 2013, the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project could not progress according to the plan. But then when normalcy returned, the pace of work could not gather steam as well. Why? The foreign company responsible for the major expansion work had its own share of problem concerning the management of its funds. Moreover, the delay on account of political turmoil led to a dispute between the firm and the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) over compensation claimed by the former. In all likelihood, therefore, completion of the project will go beyond the scheduled time. Reportedly, it might take one more year to complete the four-lane project. Some are however optimistic that the task may still be completed within December 2014, the deadline set for the project. Happily two other local companies are reportedly maintaining their schedules.

Now this is rather surprising. When the local companies have not advanced excuses for the work stoppage during the political turmoil, the foreign lone firm has not only complained against the unexpected delay but also sought compensation for the disruption of the schedule. Even when there was no political disruption, reports on the progress of widening the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway were not very encouraging. One of the reasons was fund shortage. The RHD however has fulfilled its obligation under the contract but it was the foreign firm that was at fault on that account. The dispute could be acerbic but for the intervention of the embassy of the country where the firm is based. Sure enough, the firm has a point. After all, three months' work stoppage is not a matter of joke. But then in a country like Bangladesh clauses should be incorporated to cover such issues so that such disputes can be avoided in the future. The fact that the embassy of the friendly country has employed its good will to pursue the firm to resume its construction work will certainly go well with the people of Bangladesh. Its effort should not go unappreciated.

Now the need is to make the most of the relatively political peaceful time. All the parties involved with the task must give their hundred per cent in order to complete the project. The commercial artery between Dhaka and Chittagong needs to achieve the ability to handle at least four times the volume of traffic. The four-lane highway will definitely give momentum to movement of both passengers and goods between the port city and the capital. The aim is to reduce time for such movement so that production, business and commerce receive a much faster pace. If time for transportation of export and import goods or materials can be slashed, it will have economic benefits several times more than these are now. Clearly, the four-lane highway will facilitate the process to a great extent. However, investment in railway can expedite the process even more by bringing the costs down to the minimum. The option for the railway should be kept open.