BR seeks Tk 127b for 53 projects in next fiscal

Bangladesh Railway (BR) has placed the highest-ever demand of Tk 127.09 billion for implementing its 53 projects during the upcoming fiscal year (FY), 2017-18, allocating nearly half of the budget for Padma rail-link project, sources said.
BR has returned its total budget allocation for the project during the ongoing FY. However, it sought Tk 74.01 billion for the US$ 3.14-billion project for the next FY, they also said.
According to official sources, the highest-ever budget for the state-owned train operator was sought mainly due to two projects - Padma rail-link project and Dohazari-Ramu rail-link project - two most expensive projects in BR's history.
The organization placed Tk 15 billion demand for Dohazari-Ramu project.
BR signed commercial contract with a Chinese company for implementing Padma rail-link project at a cost of Tk 3.4 billion.
On the other hand, the proposed cost of Dohazari-Ramu rail-link project went up to more than 850 per cent to Tk 180.34 billion.
BR has been getting increased budget every year since the present government came to power. Its budget allocation has increased more than 100 times in some years since then.
BR was allocated Tk 92.78 billion in the revised annual development programme in the current fiscal year.
Sources said Ministry of Finance in a recent meeting with the entity hinted about allocating it more than the sought budget in next FY.
However, comparing to budget allocation, the country's lone train operator is yet to increase its income.
    smunima@yahoo.com