Half of allocation may remain unspent this FY

More than half of the budgetary allocation for the big foreign-funded projects in road transport sector is likely to remain unspent this fiscal year (FY) due to slow progress of their implementation, sources said.
They said the progress was relatively better in case of only one project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) -- other projects could not make any significant headway, forcing the project offices to refrain from seeking the fourth or last installment of the allocation this fiscal year.
Sector analysts blamed unrealistic yearly planning as one of the major causes, along with lack of efficiency and professionalism in implementing the projects.
Although the engineers used to blame lack of budget for slow implementation of any project, they said, it was found this time that most of the projects could not make due progress despite adequate budget allocation.
Officials at Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the implementing agency of national and regional highways and small bridges, blamed unrealistic planning as a reason for slow implementation.
"We are asked to complete projects anyhow with assurance that money is not a problem. But the road is among the sectors that need specific time and environment to complete the phases of infrastructure development. It cannot be completed overnight and with political decision," said a senior official, preferring not to be named.
He also pointed out that the tender-related hassles hindered the process of implementation of many projects.
According to MoRTB record, the government has released 56 per cent of its part of spending against 21 projects, but 24 per cent of the project aid could not be released for not being able to award work orders or complete the tenders.
As Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project will have to be closed in the current fiscal year, a part of the fourth or last installment has been released.
In the annual development programme (ADP), the Road Transport and Highways Division of MoRTB received an allocation of Tk 37.78 billion, including internal resource of Tk 14.51 billion, against the 21 foreign-funded projects.
Till April 18, the division got Tk 8.09 billion released. Meanwhile, of the allocation of Tk 1.75 billion in project aid, only Tk 421 million was released.
Under the same ministry, slower implementation of all the mega-projects in bridge construction subsector, including Padma Bridge, also reduced its annual demand in the current fiscal year.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the implementing agency of bridge infrastructure of over 1.5 km, had to surrender more than 29 per cent of its allocation.
The Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, Dhaka Elevated Expressway and Karnaphuli Tunnel Project were lagging behind their respective schedules, prompting project offices to surrender Tk 26.8 billion.
Among these projects, Karnaphuli Tunnel is being funded by the Chinese government.
Sources said the bus rapid transit project and Joydevpur-Chandra-Tangail-Elenga road four-lane project also failed to make due progress.
Besides, road connectivity project of Matarbari coal-based power generation, western bridge improvement project, mass rapid transit development project, cross border network improvement project, 3rd Shitalakhya bridge construction project and Lebukhali bridge over Paira river were among the projects those could not make due progress.
    smunima@yahoo.com