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Anti-encroachment plan runs into red tape snags

Project concept paper on Buriganga protection pending with the shipping ministry

Avik Sanwar Rahman
A project concept paper (PCP) on permanent protection of the Buriganga river from reencroachment is pending with the shipping ministry because of overriding red tape.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) prepared the paper according to a decision of the Prime Minister's Office to stop re-encroachment of the capital's lifeline.
The BIWTA submitted the PCP to the shipping ministry on May 19 to make the project get underway as
early as possible, but a single query about the cost of dredging the river has stuck it with the ministry for two months.
"The concept paper shows Tk 15 crore for dredging and we have asked the BIWTA to clarify why dredging is needed to protect encroachment," said Khalekuzzaman, chief officer of the shipping ministry's planning wing.
A BIWTA official said the BIWTA received the letter on June 23 from the ministry and replied with clarification only on July 28.
"The dredging will be required in Kamrangirchar, Mirerbag and
other areas to smooth the navigation of vessels," a project engineer said.
Khalekuzzaman said the ministry received the reply from the BIWTA but has not yet gone through the clarification. "If the dredging cost is justified, we will send the conceptpaperto the
Planning Commission in two
weeks," Khalekuzzamansaid.
The PCP has to be placed at a Planning Commission meeting for inclusion in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the next fiscal year. The cost of the project has been estimated at Tk
94.36 crore.
About 96.82 percent of the project money or Tk 91.42 crore will be spent on development and construction on the Buriganga foreshore. The construction work includes terminal building and transit shade at Ali Bahar Char near Pagla, kiosk, health centre, RCC jetty, RCC ghat, parking yard, open yard, development of the Mirerbag dockyard near the Buriganga Bridge-1, recreation centre and seating arrangement.
The PCP also included construction of a walkway on the 34km offshore on 451 acres on both sides
of the river and recreational and entertainment facilities will be built for tourists on the riverbanks.
The PCP also includes Tk 10 lakh for a soil test and Tk 22.94 crore for a physical contingency and feasibility study and estimated Tk 40
lakh or 0.43 percent of the budget for transportation.
The project will also hire local experts at a cost of Tk 20 lakh or 0.21 percent of the budget. They will be responsible for the project's feasibility study and will advise on income generation from the project.
"The project will also help
reduce traffic at Sadarghat terminal and we will restore the old glory to the Buriganga," said a senior official ofBIWTA.
Sadarghat terminal, established as Dhaka Nadi Bandar in 1967, has links with the two seaports in Bangladesh and is used for movement of lots of cargo and passengers.
About 218 lakh commuters and 18.70 lakh tonnes of cargo moved through the port in 2002-3. Every year, the movement of commuters is increasing 4.29 percent and cargo 4.72percent, aBIWTAreportsays.