Road communication, ICT, telecom sectors get Tk 63.34b
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
The government has proposed to allocate Tk 63.34 billion (6334 crore) for ICT, telecommunication and communication sectors in the national budget for FY 2008-09, reports UNB.
Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam in his budget speech Monday said that the allocation is for the combined development and non-development budget and it is 6.6 per cent of the total budget.
He, however, didn't specify the separate figures for each of the three sectors.
There is 0.7 km road for each square kilometre land area in Bangladesh, he said.
Laying emphasis on widening the roads and enhancing their quality, the Finance Adviser said a specific programme has been undertaken in the communication sector to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the Department of Roads and Highways.
Besides, he said, the Padma Bridge construction project has been approved at a cost of Tk 101.62 billion (10,162 crore). "Currently, the design phase is underway for a quick start for the construction of this 5.58 km long bridge."
About the railways sector, he said a broad based reform initiative is in place to turn the Bangladesh Railway from a losing entity into a profitable one.
A new railway track on the Dhaka-Chittagong route is being laid to reduce the travel time by two hours between Dhaka and Chittagong.
Aziz said this would undoubtedly have a far-reaching positive impact on the country's trade and commerce. As part of its ongoing reforms, Bangladesh Railway will be corporatised.
He said it is heartening to note that Dhaka-Kolkata Moitree train service began on the 1st day of Bangla New Year.
About the Dhaka City, the Finance Adviser said implementation of a strategic action plan is underway to build a cost-effective, sustainable and safer public transport system in the city.
To reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka City, he said, steps have been taken to construct link roads connecting Bijoy Sarani to Tejgaon Industrial Area, and Airport Raod to Rokeya Sarani. Initiatives for the protection of Hatirjheel and Begunbari Canal have also been taken in earnest.
About the telecom sector, he said that with the expansion of telephone facilities, including mobile phone, the tele-density in Bangladesh has increased from 18 per 100 population in the previous year to 28 in the current year.
Digital telephone exchanges have been established in 389 upazilas and 17 growth centres. Work is underway to cover the rest of the upazilas under digital exchange system.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has joined the information super-highway by connecting itself with international submarine cable system. Ninety-two internet service providers have now been connected with this system, the Finance Adviser said.
Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam in his budget speech Monday said that the allocation is for the combined development and non-development budget and it is 6.6 per cent of the total budget.
He, however, didn't specify the separate figures for each of the three sectors.
There is 0.7 km road for each square kilometre land area in Bangladesh, he said.
Laying emphasis on widening the roads and enhancing their quality, the Finance Adviser said a specific programme has been undertaken in the communication sector to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the Department of Roads and Highways.
Besides, he said, the Padma Bridge construction project has been approved at a cost of Tk 101.62 billion (10,162 crore). "Currently, the design phase is underway for a quick start for the construction of this 5.58 km long bridge."
About the railways sector, he said a broad based reform initiative is in place to turn the Bangladesh Railway from a losing entity into a profitable one.
A new railway track on the Dhaka-Chittagong route is being laid to reduce the travel time by two hours between Dhaka and Chittagong.
Aziz said this would undoubtedly have a far-reaching positive impact on the country's trade and commerce. As part of its ongoing reforms, Bangladesh Railway will be corporatised.
He said it is heartening to note that Dhaka-Kolkata Moitree train service began on the 1st day of Bangla New Year.
About the Dhaka City, the Finance Adviser said implementation of a strategic action plan is underway to build a cost-effective, sustainable and safer public transport system in the city.
To reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka City, he said, steps have been taken to construct link roads connecting Bijoy Sarani to Tejgaon Industrial Area, and Airport Raod to Rokeya Sarani. Initiatives for the protection of Hatirjheel and Begunbari Canal have also been taken in earnest.
About the telecom sector, he said that with the expansion of telephone facilities, including mobile phone, the tele-density in Bangladesh has increased from 18 per 100 population in the previous year to 28 in the current year.
Digital telephone exchanges have been established in 389 upazilas and 17 growth centres. Work is underway to cover the rest of the upazilas under digital exchange system.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has joined the information super-highway by connecting itself with international submarine cable system. Ninety-two internet service providers have now been connected with this system, the Finance Adviser said.