As the coronavirus pandemic has cast a deep shadow on the works of the ongoing mega projects, the government has taken an extensive work plan to complete the mega projects, including the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, as soon as possible.
To help offset the tweaks of the devastating virus, a monitoring committee has been formed headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to expedite the implementation of the projects, an apparent move to infuse dynamism into the country’s economy.
The prime minister herself is personally supervising the progress of the ongoing mega projects, sounding a note of strong warning against any sort of corruption or irregularity at any stage of the implementation.
In a review meeting through a video conference on Thursday from Ganabhaban, the prime minister directed all concerned to complete the mega projects soon.
According to sources at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the latest status of the progress of the projects was highlighted at the meeting. The meeting decided to complete the works of the projects quickly.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister has made it clear that no corruption, irregularities, or delays will be tolerated in the works of these projects. She sternly warned that those who would be indulged in corruption will not be given any concession.
The prime minister also thanked those who were working at the projects risking their lives in the prolonged situation of coronavirus.
Prime Minister’s principal secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus told the media that, “The Prime Minister has given strict instructions on mega projects. The premier has also instructed that the works of the projects should not be stopped for any reason. She said there would be no shortage of funds to implement the mega projects”.
The mega projects of the government are- Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Metro Rail, Rampal Power Plant, Matarbari Power Project, Payra Deep Seaport, Rail Link to Padma Multipurpose Bridge and Single Line Dual Gauge Track from Dohazari to Ghundhum, he added.
In the meeting, it was informed that, of the total 10 projects, three projects are being implemented under the Road Transport and Bridge Ministry. These projects are Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Metro Rail. Despite the pandemic, construction work of the Padma Bridge is going on in full swing while tunnel, and metro rail works are continuing on a limited scale. Metro rail's overall progress is 45 percent.
The Railways Ministry is implementing three projects, these are construction of rail line on both banks of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, construction of new railway line at Dohazari-Cox's Bazar in Chittagong, and construction of Akhaura-Laksam meter gauge double line. The first one is continuing in full pace while the rest two on a limited scale.
The rest four projects are Payra, Rampal, Matarbari coal-based and Rooppur nuclear power plants. The government is thinking of rescheduling the works of the first two projects while the works on a coal-fired power plant at Matarbari and a nuclear power plant at Rooppur are continuing in full swing.
The meeting further states that maintaining health safety rules 8000 workers are working at Rooppur Power Plant daily. In the midst of this epidemic, in the middle of last month, 193 construction engineers, experts, and workers came from Russia to work on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
On the other hand, the capital’s first elevated express way’s Airport to Banani portion is targeted to open for traffic by next October.
According to PMO, the monitoring committee holds meetings after every three months to review implementation and work progress of the mega projects. Officials from the Prime Minister's Office, secretaries of the concerned ministries and project directors attend. The Prime Minister herself is closely monitoring the progress of the projects with the last meeting was held in January.