TUHIN SHUBHRA ADHIKARY

China promised to provide loans for eight transport sector projects eight years ago, but only one of those has been completed so far.

Two other projects are currently underway, but those are running behind schedule, documents show.

Two more projects have been taken off the list while the implementation of the three others has not started due to multiple reasons.

The delay in implementation means Bangladesh will struggle to enhance the capacity of its rail lines, highways and sea ports with a view to serve the steadily growing economy, officials said.

Amid such a situation, Bangladesh is expected to seek more Chinese loans for several transport projects during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s China visit from July 8 to 10. The projects may include construction of Bhanga-Payra rail line and Mass Rapid Transit Line-2.

During his visit to Bangladesh in October 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to provide about $20 billion loan -- the largest amount committed by a bilateral partner of Bangladesh -- over the following four years to implement 27 projects.

But as of January this year, the two sides managed to sign agreements on only nine projects involving $8.08 billion, figures from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) show.

Of the $8.08 billion, Bangladesh could utilise only $4.91 billion, less than a quarter of the amount promised by China. Red tapism on both sides is largely to blame for the slow disbursement of loans, said officials.

Of the 27 projects, eight were for the transport sector, including four under the railways ministry, three under the road transport and bridges ministry, and one under the shipping ministry.

RAIL PROJECTS

Four railway projects were supposed to be implemented with the Chinese loans to build new a rail line and expand three existing ones.

The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project is the only railway project being implemented now with the Chinese loan.

The Ecnec in May 2016 approved the project to connect the capital with Jashore with a 169km line via the Padma Bridge at a cost of

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