The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has sought an additional Tk 4.83 billion in the revised annual development programme (RADP) despite slow progress of its majority projects amid continuous blockade programme.
Sources said RHD has set a demand of Tk 46.80 billion to implement 123 projects in RADP against its allocation of Tk 42.05 billion in the current fiscal year (FY) 2014-15.
The additional demand for Tk 4.83 billion has already been placed to the Planning Commission.
Sources said RHD could make only 29 per cent progress of its projects till December. The organisation is likely to miss its January progress target due to the continuous blockade programme that began on January 6, they also said.
Due to the reason, RHD has also cut its project completion target. In the current FY the department fixed a plan to complete 54 projects out of its 117 projects. But later it revised the target to 50 projects.
Since the blockade programme was launched, the road sector projects have been severely affected due to disruption of transport to carry construction materials to the road, bridge and culvert construction sites.
RHD officials said the increased demand in RADP has been placed to speed up implementation of two four-lane projects on Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways.
Besides, six new projects have been included in RADP, for which demand has been set. A total of 117 projects were included in ADP, but the number is now 123, following inclusion of six new projects.
RHD has demanded additional Tk 5.00 billion for the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project and Tk 5.56 billion for the Dhaka-Mymensingh four-lane project in RADP.
In the current fiscal year, Tk 5.0 billion was allocated for the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project and Tk 3.97 billion for Dhaka-Mymensingh four-lane project. With raising the demand in RADP, total allocation for the two important projects would be Tk 10 billion and Tk 9.63 billion respectively.
"Tk 10 billion is needed for the two projects only. But we have to cut our budget of many ADP projects due to the slow progress. It has been recommended to transfer that budget to the four-lane projects," said another official.
He said among the six new projects, budget has been sought for some important projects, including improving black spots on the national highways, and constructing a bridge over the Kushiyara river at Raniganj.
"We cannot ignore the necessity to complete Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Myemsingh four-lane projects. If the political situation gets normal, we have to complete these two projects for the sake of easing people's sufferings," the official added
Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mymensingh four-lane projects are expected to make seven to eight percent progress in January against their monthly target of 15 to 18 per cent.
As October-February is the peak season for finishing work of the two projects, these are likely to be hit by the political disturbance, he added.
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