The government has to spend nearly 50 per cent higher funds than the original cost for constructing the third bridge on the Karnaphuli river due to delay in implementing the project, started in 2001, officials said Saturday.
Communications Ministry officials said they had sought Tk 2.12 billion extra funds or 48.33 per cent more than its original Tk 4.39 billion estimated cost in the development project proposal (DPP).
"We have sought the additional funds and time from the government due to delay in project completion and escalation of the construction material prices," said a senior ministry official.
The Communications Ministry in 2001 undertook the 950-kilometre long third Karanaphuli bridge construction project at a cost of Tk 4.39 billion for completion by 2010.
The cost has been revised upward to Tk 5.90 billion due to increased construction material costs. Now the ministry for the second time has sought revision of the DPP seeking total Tk 6.51 billion funds, 48 per cent higher than the original and more than 10 per cent from the first revised cost.
A senior Planning Commission official said they are reviewing the project before revision. "If we find justified reasons for revision of the project, we will do that," he told the FE.
He said: "The bridge construction has almost been completed. But we are finding out the reasons behind the demand of the 48 per cent more funds from the present cost of Tk 5.90 billion."
The government has to pay billions of taka every year to the project implementing agencies due to their failure in timely execution, he said.
Another Communications Ministry official said since they had been widening the five-kilometre road from Bohoddarhat of the Chittagong city to the bridge's approach road into six-lane one and three kilometres from the other side of the bridge to Y intersection of the Cox's Bazar road into four-lane, they need some additional time and funds.
Besides, the fund would be used for the construction of three bridges, three box culverts, three underpasses, one grade separation intersection and a 100-metre long retaining wall, he said.
The approach road widening project is expected to be completed by 2015.
The Karnaphuli bridge is being built with the support of the Kuwait government as it made a commitment to provide Tk3.70 billion fund.
The third bridge on the river Karnaphuli will connect southern Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and the hill district of Bandarban.
The Communications Ministry official said the construction work was delayed for a few years even after approval of the DPP in December 2001 by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
Tender process had taken some more time to start the bridge construction works, the ministry official said.
The construction of the bridge had started in July in 2006. A Chinese construction company 'Major Bridge Construction' has been working to build the bridge.
Some 7.0 million inhabitants of the southern part of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Bandarban districts will benefit from the bridge.
The four-lane bridge will have 0.5 kilometre approach road in the Chittagong city-end and 1.0 km at Patia upazila-end.
