Some Tk 1.54 billion from the public exchequer has gone down the drain as the Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA) has cancelled the 15-kilometre elevated road project in Kishoreganj's haor area after spending the money, sources say.
The project, originally approved with an estimated cost of Tk 56.51 billion during the Awami League tenure -- reportedly to satisfy then president Abdul Hamid -- was decided to be ditched following the political changeover.
However, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus incurred waste of an additional Tk 20.8 million during its tenure, say officials at the Planning Commission.
To complete the formalities of cancellation, the Bridges Division has submitted the first revised project proposal to the Planning Commission, showing a total expenditure at Tk 1.54 billion.
The revised cost represents 2.72 per cent of the original outlay, according to the proposal.
The Physical Infrastructure Division of the Commission is scheduled to hold a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to review the proposal.
Officials say the Commission will seek a justification for spending such a high amount prior to beginning physical works and also will seek detailed account of expenditures already incurred.
The meeting also will ask for information on procurement contracts signed under the project and the potential implications of their cancellation.
A review of the proposal shows that Tk 1.5 billion of the total expenditure reported under the project has been shown as land- acquisition cost. However, relevant officials say no payment was made for land acquisition under the project.
A Planning Commission official says, "Such expenditure cannot be booked under land acquisition without actual fund disbursement, adding that in such cases, the money must be returned to government exchequer."
The issue is expected to come up for discussion at the upcoming Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting, he told The FE writer.
The review has further found that Tk 10.31 million was spent on salaries and allowances of project officials and employees, while Tk 8.66 million was incurred for outsourced vehicle rentals.
In addition, Tk 2.38 million was spent on office rent, Tk 6.48 million on consultancy services, Tk 1.04 million on honorarium and remuneration, Tk 22.33 million on supply and services, Tk 1.25 million on computer and accessories, and Tk 4.0 million on furniture and fixtures.
Documents reveal that the proposed elevated-road project was approved by the National Economic Council Executive Committee (ECNEC) in January 2023 to build a 15.31-kilometre elevated transport corridor.
The project was designed to establish all-weather road connectivity between Mithamoin, Itna and Austagram and the district headquarters of Kishoreganj, as well as Dhaka.
It also included plans for road widening, bridges, culverts, toll plazas and other supporting infrastructure.
Officials say the project was justified through a feasibility study that projected unusually high traffic demand from the backwaters to make it appear economically viable.
According to studies conducted by BRTC and BUET, the daily vehicle flow on the expressway was estimated at 25,800 vehicles in 2030, rising to 35,500 in 2040.
Officials note that these projections were higher than traffic volumes on the Jamuna Bridge and even the Padma Bridge, raising questions over the assumptions used in the appraisal.
Environmental concerns, however, emerged as a key factor behind the cancellation.
Jahid.rn@gmail.com
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