The government will seek additional Tk 5.8 billion fund from Kuwait to meet huge financial gap between estimated and contractor costs of the Lebukhaki Bridge project which is to establish direct link of the capital with the southern region.
Sources said the lowest contractor has proposed Tk 8.6 billion for constructing the 1.4 kilometre bridge, which is, however, almost double of the estimated cost.
Officials said as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has been providing Tk 2.74 billion, the Road Transport and Highways Division has taken a move to seek the additional fund from the development partner.
The KFAED has already given concurrence to the lowest bidder saying that the government of Bangladesh ascertained that its loan does not cover the amount of contract, they added.
The RHD undertook the Tk 4.57 billion bridge project to connect the capital with southern districts including the Payra Bandha Port in 2009. However, the development project proposal of the project was approved in 2012 after completing a feasibility study.
The tender for the project was called at the end of 2014 and a Chinese firm submitted the lowest price for the project whose evaluation concluded in December.
Experts said the Lebukhali Bridge is important to make the Dhaka-Mawa-Faridpur-Barisal-Patuakhali highway free from ferry service. Its speedy implementation will boost tourism and trade activities with the southern region by establishing direct link with Kuakata and Payra port.
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the implementing agency of the project, said with the construction of the Padma Bridge and completion of the three other under-construction bridges after the Payra Bridge, the Dhaka-Kuakata direct link will be established.
The bridge will also establish link with Japan-funded coal-based power plant at Payra.
However, the project progress was slow since the project was taken due to bureaucratic tangle and delay in appointing consultants to carry out the design.
 When asked, an official said, several changes in the bridge construction design, river training work and schedules are the reasons for increase of the project cost.
He said the bridge is now being planned to be constructed with deep and wider foundation. The river training work has also been increased to 1.4 kilometre from 700 metre.
Sources said the Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has already sent a request letter to the KFAED through proper channel to take the additional fiscal burden of the project.
The government has already started construction of three bridges at Andarmanik and Khepupara-Mohipal on the Dhaka-Patuakhali-Kuakata national highway after the Lebukhali Bridge. The bridges are expected to be completed within two years.
   smunima@yahoo.com
Tk 5.8b extra fund to be sought from Kuwait for Lebukhali Bridge
Munima Sultana | Published: February 18, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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