Amid the mounting human toll and global economic fallout triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, timely completion of mega projects of Bangladesh will set the stage for stimulating the country’s economy.
Keeping this in mind, the government has given more importance to completing these mega projects within the stipulated time as it can play a vital role to recover the economy fallouts in the country, said officials of Planning Ministry on Sunday.
However, they said the Ministry of Planning will allocate fund for these mega projects as per the demand of the authorities concerned. The Commission has drafted the ADP for fiscal 2020-21.
The major mega projects in Bangladesh- Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Padma Rail Link Project, Metro Rail, Bangabandhu Tunnel (Karnaphuli Tunnel) along with some others- would get funds on priority basis in the next annual development programme (ADP) for fiscal 2020-21, officials also said.
According to the planning commission sources, the Planning Ministry is formulating Tk 2, 05,145 crore ADP for the upcoming fiscal 2020-21 as per the direction of the finance ministry. Earlier, the Commission sought requisition from ministries and divisions and it scrutinized the fund requisition. But the Commission has ensured funds for mega projects as per the demands in the next ADP.
As per the draft ADP, Padma Bridge will get Tk 5000 crore, Metro Rail Line-6 will get Tk 4200 crore, Padma Rail Link will get Tk 3734 crore, Bangabandhu Railway Bridge over Jamuna River will get Tk 2743 crore and Dohazari-Ghundhum Rail Line Project will get Tk 1400 crore funds, sources also said.
Besides, the Commission will also allocate sufficient funds for Bangabandhu Tunnel, major power projects and infrastructure sectors mainly construction of 4-lane projects, sources added.
About the matter, Planning Minister MA Mannan said the government wants to complete such important projects like Padma Bridge and Metro Rail as these mega projects would play a vital role to stimulate the country’s economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government is committed to start the operation of Padma Bridge and complete the Metro Rail project, he added.
World Bank former lead economist Zahid Hussain said mega projects should be completed in speedy way as it can play a positive role for the country’s economical development after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, work of Padma Bridge is going on amid Coronavirus risks as till March, about 88.08 percent works have been completed.
The government finalized Tk 2,02,721 crore ADP for the current fiscal, giving the highest allocation to the transport sector.