In a major development in local infrastructure, China has finished the primary feasibility study for the 'China-Aid 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project'.
The bridge, for which China has already committed an $85 million grant, will span the Lohalia river, connecting Dumki and Baufal upazilas in Patuakhali.
A team of consultants from CCCC Highway Consultants Company Ltd, commissioned by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, conducted the feasibility study and site investigation between February 24 and March 31, 2023.
According to sources, negotiations between the Chinese team and the Roads and Highways Department are complete and the project agreement will be signed soon.
The Chinese government agreed to fund the bridge construction in 2017 under the 'China-Aid No. 9 Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project'.
The 917-metre-long first China-Bangladesh bridge over the Buriganga river was completed in 1989, and the 998-metre-long eighth bridge over the Kocha river was completed in 2022.
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) briefed the Chinese investigation team on the project's construction plan, specific needs and suggestions, said officials. The RHD also conducted a field survey of alternative locations to get a preliminary understanding of the terrain.
A meeting between the two sides determined that the Chinese investigation team would comprehensively analyse the collected technical data. This analysis will demonstrate the project's necessity, technical feasibility and economic viability. The Chinese investigation team will then submit a final feasibility study report.
The Bangladeshi side has already confirmed the project's implementation details and technical standards. The Chinese investigation team, in turn, has proposed a preliminary plan for the bridge's alignment and deck section.
According to the primary consensus, the Bangladeshi side is responsible for finalising and obtaining approval for the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) report from relevant Bangladeshi authorities before project initiation by China.
Both sides agreed that China will resume project investigation and design once the Bangladeshi and Chinese governments exchange letters to formally initiate the project.
Officials, citing meeting minutes, said expenses for completing the work will be covered by the Chinese government's grant to Bangladesh.
As per the negotiation decisions, China will provide the necessary machinery, equipment and materials for the project. They will also dispatch the required number of engineers and technical personnel to Bangladesh to oversee construction, equipment installation and commissioning.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be responsible for providing the Chinese side with basic design data for the project and guaranteeing its accuracy.
Besides, Bangladesh will handle the relocation and removal of all obstacles on both the ground and underground surfaces.
This includes land acquisition, geotechnical investigations and the design and construction of any toll plazas.
The meeting also decided that Bangladesh would grant an exemption from import and export tariffs and other taxes for the equipment, materials and living supplies required by the Chinese side for the project and its personnel.
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