Non-availability of Indian raw materials hits rail bridge project

Construction of second Bhairab and second Titas rail bridge project could not make the required headway after almost two years of works as raw materials are not available in India.
The terms of the Indian line of credit (LoC) included mandatory purchase of 65 per cent construction materials from India.
Sources said the project's steering committee discussed, during a meeting last month, the issue of delay in implementation caused by non-availability of construction materials in time. It sought help of the Economic Relations Division to take necessary steps in this regard.
They said procurement of railway materials from India could not be made possible in time as many of those including input materials and drilling machine are not available in India.
However, the committee also identified some other problems like carrying out of 'cell' test of piling and IT, VAT and taxes for the delay. It observed that despite holding of meetings with the ERD and EXIM Bank, the problems could not be resolved.
According to the project update, 50 per cent work of the part of the Bhairab bridge and 59 per cent work of the Titas bridge part were completed. The two project works began in December 2013 and January 2014.
Progress was made in five piling works and 22 out of 32 pile camps but construction related piling work including supply of girders was not ensured in time.
Of the total Tk 9.59 billion cost of the projects, Tk 8.26 billion are allocated under the first line of credit (LoC). The projects are supposed to be completed in December 2016.
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