Padma Bridge gets highest Tk 74b fund

The Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) project gets the highest allocation, amounting to Tk 74 billion, in the proposed budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2015-16, like the previous two FYs. However, the authority concerned has failed to spend the major portion of the allocation in the said fiscals.

In the proposed budget, Tk 72 billion has been kept for the PMB project, as demanded by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA).

Besides, Tk 2.0 billion was also shown as project aid like the current FY due to inability of spending the fund. The government received the fund as grant under the Indian line of credit, and kept it for the project.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech expressed satisfaction about progress of the project, and hoped to open the bridge by 2018.

"The massive work that has begun on the Padma banks has infused a deep sense of exuberance and alacrity among mass people. We expect to open the bridge for transportation by 2018," he told the parliament.

Since the government decided to construct the country's longest bridge over the mighty river from its own fund in 2013, BBA has received Tk 10 billion in FY 2013-14 and Tk 81 billion in FY 2014-15.

But the authority could spend only Tk 1.0 billion in the first fiscal and Tk 45 billion in the current fiscal.

The organisation, however, expressed optimism to spend the allocation in FY 2015-16, as construction of the bridge will start in full swing following completion of all procurements and giving work orders to respective contractors.

"According to the roadmap, we will need the fund for carrying work, like - material procurement and other preparations for the river training work," said PMB project director.

    smunima@yahoo.com