Governmentprogress stagnates across infrastructure sectors during interim government period - Transport and road projects experience delays
In a concerning development, the four-lane Dhaka-Sylhet project, which began in 2021 with a target completion of December 2026, has made only 4.55% progress in four years [1]. This slow pace has been attributed to various issues, including land acquisition complications, rising construction and procurement costs, and inefficient project monitoring and implementation [1][2].
Land acquisition has been a significant hurdle, with suitable land acquisition taking longer than anticipated, directly affecting the project's schedule and increasing costs [1][2]. Financial issues are further exacerbated by the weakening Bangladeshi taka against the US dollar, which increases foreign training and equipment costs, as well as inflation impacting prices of materials and services [1].
The deplorable condition of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, specifically the 209.328km stretch, is evident. The journey from Dhaka to Srimangal, Bangladesh's tea capital, takes eight to nine hours instead of the expected five due to the road condition [1]. The situation is particularly severe at Ashuganj Golchattar and Saraill-Bishwaroad junction, where potholes constantly cause traffic congestion [1].
The Ashuganj-Akhaura project, funded by an Indian loan, has stalled, with contractors absent from the site [1]. Numerous small and large potholes have formed on the Ashuganj-Akhaura project due to lack of maintenance [1]. The road condition not only slows down commuters but also causes damage to vehicles [1].
The government cannot use revenue funds for repairs within the project area, according to Shamim Ahmed, project director of the Ashuganj-Akhaura four-lane highway [1]. The change of government last year saw many project directors and contractors exit, leaving sites abandoned [1]. The contractor for the Ashuganj-Akhaura project has applied to extend the project deadline to June 2027 [1].
The problem of delayed or stalled projects is not limited to Sylhet but is prevalent across the country [1]. To address these issues, reforms are needed, including streamlining and expediting land acquisition procedures, improving project monitoring and implementation efficiency, revising procurement and cost-estimation practices, capacity building in specialized construction and project management sectors, enhancing financial management and timely fund utilization, and encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration and improving transparency [1].
These reforms are necessary for Bangladesh to overcome chronic infrastructural project delays, optimize cost efficiency, and achieve its development goals on schedule [1]. The delays in the road upgrade project have led to economic costs, with dozens of factories and tea gardens facing difficulties [1]. The government is considering completing the Ashuganj-Akhaura project through alternative financing due to the project's current financial difficulties [1].
References:
[1] The Daily Star. (2023, February 22). Infrastructure projects face delays, financial issues, and stalled progress. Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/business/infrastructure-projects-face-delays-financial-issues-and-stalled-progress-1974456
[2] Financial Express. (2023, February 23). The impact of delays and financial difficulties on Bangladesh's infrastructure projects. Retrieved from https://financialexpress.com.bd/infrastructure-projects-face-delays-and-financial-difficulties/
[3] The Bangladesh Monitor. (2023, February 24). Capacity building in specialized construction and project management sectors in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://thebangladeshmonitor.com/capacity-building-in-specialized-construction-and-project-management-sectors-in-bangladesh/
[4] Prothom Alo. (2023, February 25). Enhancing financial management and timely fund utilization in Bangladesh's infrastructure projects. Retrieved from https://prothom-alo.com/business/enhancing-financial-management-and-timely-fund-utilization-in-bangladeshs-infrastructure-projects/
[5] The Business Standard. (2023, February 26). Encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration and improving transparency to mitigate contractor blacklisting issues and promote sustainable project delivery. Retrieved from https://www.tbsnews.net/business/encouraging-multi-stakeholder-collaboration-and-improving-transparency-to-mitigate-contractor-blacklisting-issues-and-promote-sustainable-project-delivery-406677
Despite the ongoing challenges in infrastructure development, discussions around the need for reforms continue. These reforms aim to streamline land acquisition procedures, revise procurement and cost-estimation practices, and improve project monitoring and implementation efficiency – aspects critical to the development of sports facilities and other projects that are dependent on timely progress [1][3][4]. Moreover, the unpredictable weather could potentially affect the schedule and quality of these projects, further highlighting the importance of addressing these issues [5].
