Work on the much-hyped Padma Bridge mega project construction work is continuing smoothly despite the current extended coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown period in the country. At the same time, even in this obstacle, concerned engineers conducted work on rail links at the project.
Apart from this, the work of the Bangabandhu Tunnel project under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram has not stopped, even though its progress has slowed down. But the capital’s Metro Rail project is halted due to the pandemic. However, according to sources, it was learned that under the national lockdown following the novel coronavirus outbreak, work on about 350 small and large development projects of various organizations including the Department of Public Works, and Power and Energy Department, has been stopped.
As the construction work was halted, the concerned people expressed doubts about the completion of the projects within the stipulated time, which at the same time, will lead to an increase of the construction cost. According to the latest Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL) data, the 67.97 percent of first phase of the project namely Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT-6) from Uttara to Agargaon was completed until January this year while the second phase from Agargaon to Motijheel, has progressed nearly 36 percent so far with the total project witnessing a 40.36 percent overall progress.
The government had decided to inaugurate the project covering the rail tracks from Uttara to Motijheel marking the nation’s 50 years of Victory celebration. But now doubt has been raised in the changed situation over its inauguration. The project concerned said, as the construction is in the middle of the capital, due to the lockdown, it cannot progress now.
On the other hand, China has introduced robots in the Padma Bridge work to lessen the impacts of the new coronavirus. Project Director of the Chinese side, Liu Jianhua said the virus appeared as a ‘new challenge’ for them as they kept their staff who were on holiday in Hubei Province on extended leave as part of their prevention measures.
According to project information, in January there were 4500 workers engaged in the project, but as the foreign workers are now leaving, during March there were only 1500 workers working at the project. Padma Bridge project director Shafiqul Islam said, “28 out of 41 spans have been set up so far on the pillars. At present the work on the project is limited, but it has not stopped completely. However, the pace of work has slowed down”.
“When the impact of the coronavirus is over, we can calculate whether we can finish it by June next year as per the government’s target”, he added. According to the railway ministry, the 170-kilometer single-track rail line on the Dhaka-Jashore route via Padma Bridge at a cost of Tk 39,246 crore is also being constructed.
Project director Golam Fakhruddin Ahmed Chowdhury said, “Corona outbreak has affected the rail project work. As there is lockdown all over the country, many of the local manpower has gone to their respective places. However, we have kept some manpower that is very necessary. They are staying and working there under special arrangements”.
He said the project had achieved 25 percent progress till February and the implementation of the project within the timeframe depends on how long the corona impact lasts. Similar observation was witnessed at Dohazari-Ghundhum rail line project. Construction work is almost stopped due to the lethal virus spread, even though the project is scheduled to be completed by 2022. The Project Director said, due to the lockdown, Chinese experts are unable to come here due to the alarming situation.
Meanwhile, the country’s first-ever under river tunnel construction work achieved 51 percent progress till March 10. Even though local workers leave the construction site fearing the virus, Chinese workers are still continuing their work there, a project insider said. Engineers at the Department of Public Works said they had to stop work on most of the projects due to health risks caused by the coronavirus. However, emergency maintenance work is being conducted.
Implementing, Monitoring and Evaluation Department secretary Abul Mansur Md. Faizullah told journalists, “Due to the lockdown everything has come to a standstill. Project-related official works are continuing, but field level progress is almost nil. It is clear that a bitter impact of the virus outbreak has fallen on the development projects”.
According to Planning Commission statistics, nearly 350 projects were expected to be completed within June next. There are doubts that due to slow pace these projects will be accomplished within the timeframe.