Bridge Authority to seek Tk 10b for Padma under revised budget

Munima Sultana The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) will seek, at least, Tk 10 billion under the revised budget for the current fiscal year (FY) to construct the Padma Bridge with domestic resource support. Officials said though the BBA has already sent its revised budget proposal seeking Tk 8.0 billion including over Tk 1.0 billion in project aid, it will now seek more fund from the government to carry out immediate project work. "We will need at least Tk 10 billion from the government for necessary procurement and start other field-level works," said an official, preferring not to be named. The BBA official said in the current fiscal, the executing agency of the US $2.9 billion project was allocated Tk 8.04 billion including Tk 2.36 billion in project aid. But the authority could spend only Tk 1.0 billion for land acquisition and resettlement work, he added. The official said the BBA sent its revised budget proposal to the Planning Commission a few weeks ago. "We will now send another proposal to the Planning Ministry seeking entire fund from the government following its decision to withdraw its request for the World Bank's funding," said the official. In the current fiscal year, the BBA officials said, the work of two approach roads could be awarded to contractors. The selection process of one approach road has already been completed while another would also be done within a short time. Besides, the authority has another fund for river training work finalised last month to protect the construction yard on the Jajira side, costing Tk 970 million. The BBA completed evaluation of the request of proposals from five short- listed companies for the 2.0 km approach road at Jajira point in 2011. It received the Islamic Development Bank's concurrence. However, due to the stalemate over the funding support of the WB, the lowest bid winning Malaysian company lost its interest and did not extend its time for work. The officials said the BBA has already confirmed the beginning of the Jajira approach road work to the second lowest winning joint venture company -- Abdul Monem Ltd and HCM of Malaysia. The approach road work was of Tk 13 billion. It was supposed to be funded by the IDB. MTD Construction SND BHD of Malaysia was the lowest bidder and it did not extend the bid validity time last year. Besides, the BBA will need another budgetary allocation of fund to bring back its international consultant Maunsel-AECOM to carry out unfinished procurement-related works. The consultant has finalised the 6.15 km Padma Bridge design with five tender works. The BBA completed short-listing of all companies for the main bridge work, river training work, two approach roads and service centres on both sides of the river. It has also almost completed the selection of the supervision consultant. It was to monitor, supervise and review the five categories of works before the WB raised the allegation of graft against the former communications minister. The minister allegedly got his firm involved to influence the process and to reach later on, a deal with an award-winning company.