Move to extend time for building third Shitalakhya bridge by 2018

A move is under way to extend the time of completing the 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge project to 2018 as its tenure ended last month without starting its construction work over an issue of appointing a consultant.
Officials said the department has already sought the concerned ministry's permission to extend the time with the Saudi government which committed to provide US$ 45 million for the project in 2011.
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) had signed the contract for US $ 45 million on February 28, 2011 for the construction of the 1.2 kilometre bridge over the river Shitalakhya in view of its importance in connectivity with three national highways. The contract tenure with the SFD, however, ended in December last.
The Tk 3.7 billion Shitalakhya Bridge project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on November 09, 2010. But the project faced impasse after the Saudi financier objected to  selection of the consultant for the bridge's supervision work.
Following the objection, the RHD had to invite fresh expression of interest (EoI) in 2013 and appointed a joint venture firm as the construction supervision consultant in January 2014.
RHD officials said the department is now hopeful of starting the 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge without any hindrance as the process of selection of the contractor will be completed by February next.
When asked about uncertainty in getting the SFD's concurrence, Project Director Parimol Bikash Sutradhar said the financier has been informed of the development and the department is hopeful of getting the go-ahead.
He, however, said the project cost is yet to be revised as it is dependent on the contractor. He also could not confirm about who would bear the increased cost following delay of the project.
The RHD selected five joint venture firms of Japan, Korea and Bangladesh for the Shitalakhya Bridge project in December 2011 and the SFD refrained from giving its concurrence on the ground of a mistake in the tender document.
Finally, the SARM Associates Ltd of Bangladesh was selected as the lead firm of the bridge project with two partners --- Omar Munshi Associates of Pakistan and AL Mahan DIS NK Consulting Engineers of Saudi Arabia. The bridge will be a four-lane one with 2.13 km approach roads on both ends. Of the total funds, the SFD will provide Tk 3.11 billion while the rest will be borne by the government.
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