Staff Reporter:
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam yesterday said development projects must be implemented properly and efficiently; otherwise, they will become a burden on the country.
“Undoubtedly, the proposed Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway is a highly necessary project that could bring a positive transformation to Bangladesh’s transport system. But if it is not implemented properly, it could become a burden on the country’s economy,” he said.
The minister said these while delivering the chief guest’s speech at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the proposed Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway (DEWEE) PPP project. The workshop was held at Ballroom-2 of Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon here this noon.
Mentioning that the feasibility study of the DEWEE project has already been completed, he said, “The nearly 39-kilometre expressway is expected to enhance regional connectivity by linking Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal and Khulna divisions with northern regions without requiring traffic to pass through the main Dhaka city.”
He added that it would significantly reduce traffic congestion in the capital and increase vehicular speed.
“Currently, vehicles in the capital move at 20–30 km per hour. The proposed expressway would allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 90–100 km per hour, easing pressure on Dhaka’s road network,” he said.
The minister also expressed dissatisfaction over delays and inefficiencies in implementing large infra-structure projects.
Citing stakeholders, ’inefficiencies in the Dhaka-Sylhet highway project, he said, “Land acquisition for the Dhaka-Sylhet highway has not been completed even after four years. This has led to significant cost escalation, and the project cost is expected to increase by 30 to 35 percent.”
He added that such delays and mismanagement deprive people of the intended benefits of development projects.
The minister stressed the importance of maintaining quality, time and cost discipline in project imple-mentation to achieve the expected internal rate of return.
“Otherwise, such mega projects become a burden on the national economy instead of delivering bene-fits,” he said.
State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Razib Ahsan attended the event as the special guest, with Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf in the chair.
Earlier, Chief Engineer of the DEWEE project Quazi Md Ferdous delivered the welcome speech and presented a visual overview of the project. Later, the project’s team leader briefed various aspects of the project in detail.
The project will cover a total length of 38.98 kilometers from Hemayetpur in Savar to Langalbadh in Narayanganj, passing through Savar, Keraniganj, Fatullah, Siddhirganj and Bandar upazila.
This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project is expected to cost Tk 26,000 crore, excluding contingen-cies and financing costs.
The project is expected to be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, and completed by 2030.
