Tk 121.33b deal signed with Chinese firm

The government Tuesday entered into a Tk 121.33 billion deal with a Chinese firm to construct the Padma Bridge, after the lapse of nearly three years for a hitch over allegation of corruption in the bidding process.

Project director of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge and China Major Bridge Engineering Company Ltd (CMBEC) chairman Liu Ziming signed the agreement on behalf of the respective sides at a ceremony. Communications minister Obaidul Quader witnessed the signing.

The Chinese firm won the expensive work through quoting 12 percent below the government's revised estimated cost as lone company to build the 6.15-kilometre-long bridge structure over the mighty river Padma in next four years.

Addressing the deal-signing ceremony, the minister termed the occasion as a milestone in starting construction of the long-cherished dream bridge. He said the bridge will be opened for people by 2018.

"We have come a long way to reach this stage," he said to express his frustration once in succeeding to implement the Padma bridge project.

Praising the prime minister for her successful leadership, determination and  bold decision to build the dreamt Padma Bridge, the communications minister said CMBC has been selected following international rules.

He said other works of the PMB project were progressing fast. Mobilisation work on the main bridge construction will be going in full swing soon.

Bridge division secretary KhandkerAnwarul Islam was also present among other high officials of the communications ministry, BBA and the contraction firm. Officials of other ministries and Chinese Embassy were also there.

The government on June 2 issued notification awarding the job to CMBEC after getting nod from the cabinet committee on government purchase on May 22 and the Prime Minister end of May.

Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) invited four companies to participate in the bridge project's main tender on June 25, 2013.

Among the companies which were pre-qualified before suspension of loan by the World Bank and other development partners, three firms bought the tender documents and qualified technically.

However, except the CMBEC, two others firms -- Daelim - L&T joint venture and Samsung C&T Corp -- did not submit their financial proposals before the deadline expired on April 24. They sought more time for the submission of their financial proposals. BBA refused on consent of the consultant

The PMB Project, initiated in 2009 under the foreign partners' financial arrangement, however, stalled on an allegation of corruption in the bidding process brought by the World Bank in September 2011

Due to the delays, the BBA revised the cost of building the state-of-the-art bridge having four-lane road on the top and rail below to Tk 135 billion from Tk 91.72 billion estimated in 2010. Failing to get foreign partners, the government decided to resume the project work from its own funds in February 2013 to meet its election pledge for establishing link between southern districts and eastern districts, including the capital, Dhaka. Once commissioned, it is likely to boost Bangladesh's economy by as much as 1.2 percent.

Sources said construction equipment and material mobilisation of the Padma Bridge construction works will start by July after the construction firm submits revised construction schedule in the first week of July

He said contract with the Chinese company was signed after its performance bank guarantee was found valid.

The officials said other works of the project which have already been awarded are progressing fast. They added that 25 percent work of Janjira approach road construction was completed while 17 per cent of Mawa-side approach work. Seven-percent work of the service area 2 which was awarded in January last had been done till May.

Work order for river training, which is the second-most important work of the Padma Bridge project, is likely by August as its financial offer from the participating short-listed four firms will be received on the last day of submission, June 19.