The Padma Multipurpose Bridge project will save about Tk 20.38 billion from the allocated funds and the bridge is likely to open in June, officials concerned reaffirmed Friday.
With the possible cost-cutting objective the Bridge Division has sought a lower amount of Tk 22.03-billion allocation in the next development budget.
The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) under the Division will receive Tk 22.03 billion-the last chunk of allocations-in the upcoming annual development programme (ADP) for completing the bridge-construction works.
"The BBA had spent Tk 234.52 billion out of the Tk 301.93-billion cost till last FY2021. In the current FY2022, it has kept aside Tk 24.99 billion for spending. And it has sought Tk 22.02 billion for the next FY2023. It means some Tk 20.38 billion will be unspent at the end of the project," says a senior official.
Government authorities have already announced that the 6.15-kilometre Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic in June this year.
"The bridge is likely to be opened for the public in June this year. But there will be a defect- liability period in the next FY2023. We can assess the performance of the bridge as well as any odds with it during the liability period," says a PC official.
Meanwhile, the Bridge Division recently sought Tk 22.03 billion in the ADP of the next fiscal year, 2022-23-some Tk 2.96 billion down from the outlay in the current ADP.
The Planning Commission (PC) has proposed the allocation for the next ADP as the Bridge Division wants to complete the entire project works by the next fiscal, to end in June 2023, said a senior PC official.
According to the Bridge Division, the BBA had completed 89 per cent of the physical works till November this fiscal FY2022.
It had spent Tk 264.76 billion, 87.67 per cent of the finally estimated Tk301.93-billion cost of the project, till November last.
Till last FY2021, the BBA had spent Tk 234.53 billion from the total project cost for building the bridge across the mighty river.
Meanwhile, when asked about completion of the project works, the BBA officials said despite lower fund requirements, authorities were still optimistic about inauguration of the bridge for public in June this year.
The project officials also echo the optimism about the government goal of inaugurating the bridge before the end of this fiscal year-come what may.
The PC is now working to frame the ADP for the next FY2023 where the transport and communications sector is likely to get the highest priority, as before.
The BBA official said they are trying their best to make all ready for opening the bridge in time.
"It doesn't matter whether the annual fund is surrendered or not. But matter is we are working to inaugurate the bridge," says a senior BBA official.
The BBA vowed to complete the construction works of the country's longest multipurpose bridge by June this FY2022.
The Bridge Division is currently implementing six supermajor investment projects, including the Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, support-to-Dhaka elevated expressway, and Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway.
It is the 8th-largest development-budget holder among all the ministries and divisions as it obtained 4.19 per cent of the Tk 2.37 trillion ADP outlay for implementing its projects.
