The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) is yet to take a decision about a Chinese company that has showed interest in building the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway due to confusion about its ability in constructing infrastructures.
Sources said, following allegations against the company's ability in construction, the authority has taken a move to conduct feasibility study of the project despite a study already done earlier.
On Wednesday last, the BBA got approval from the cabinet committee on government purchase to appoint a joint venture firm to conduct the feasibility study.
Sources, however, said due to delay in starting negotiation on the commercial proposal, the company has proposed to the BBA officials to see for themselves the company's activities in China.
The authority is planning to send five to six officials to China soon.
The BBA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese company China National Machinery IMP & EXP Corp (CMC) on January 22. The company later submitted the commercial proposal in April indicating to invest US $ 1.75 billion in the project under government-to-government arrangement.
It is alleged that the company is only an agent and has proposed to construct the Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway either forming a joint venture company or giving sub contract to another company.
Since the project was taken in 2011, the authority has been in a dilemma with it due to lack of good response from any private company to compete for the public-private partnership (PPP) project. The government initially planned to construct the expressway under PPP but shifted its stance to manage fund from the government coffer.
"The Bridge Division took the move to sign the MoU with the Chinese company having failed to get any option. Still it is confused about the Chinese proposal," said a source.
He said due to delay in taking a decision, the BBA took the fresh move to conduct the feasibility study on the project after inviting expression of interest twice in April and June for getting a qualified firm.
Earlier, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) conducted a study on the project.
BBA officials said the fresh feasibility study will try to explore the possibility of developing circular road as revised strategic transport plan proposes to build inner, middle and outer circular road around the Dhaka city to help reduce the city's transport pressure.
The BBA wants to implement the 38-kilometre long Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway in order to reduce acute traffic congestion in and around Dhaka city.
It intends to execute the project encompassing the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Dhaka EPZ and Chandra. [email protected]
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