The Korean company which was selected as the operation and maintenance (O&M) operator of part of the Padma Bridge is set to do the same for the country's first expressway.
The Dhaka-Mawa-Pachchar-Bhanga expressway is connected on both sides of the country's longest bridge, and there is a plan to introduce toll on the 55-kilometre expressway.
Official sources said the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) recommended the financial proposal of Korean Expressway Corporation (KEC) for the work.
The Tk 7.89-billion proposal is likely to be placed to the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase meeting today (Wednesday).
They also said the RHD's proposal evaluation committee (PEC) recommended the proposal of KEC, which is set to carry out toll collection, intelligence traffic service (ITS), and O&M activities.
KEC placed two options to perform the work - one in association with two sub-contractors and the other by its alone. The financial proposal for the first option (with sub-contractors) was Tk 6.83 billion and the second one (alone) was Tk 7.89 billion.
But the PEC recommended the higher financial offer due to including tax in it.
The negotiation was done following necessary procedures, involving the CPTU and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
The officials said the Korean company has been chosen for the work as lone company - due to lack of any other firm in the country to carry out such work.
Besides, the selection of KEC in the Padma Bridge viaduct and approach roads along with ITS and toll collection activities was considered for the selection.
The Bangladesh Bridge Authority selected KEC along with China Major Bridge Engineering Co Ltd to carry out O&M work of the Padma Bridge last month at a cost of Tk 6.93 billion under government-to-government arrangement.
smunima@yahoo.com