SYLHET: The work on the World Bank (WB)-funded project worth Tk 1.28 billion is likely to miss another deadline due to slow progress, sources say.
The project includes the construction of bus terminal at a cost of Tk 650 million (Tk 65 crore) and dumping ground and sanitary landfill in the suburban Paraichak area involving Tk 630 million (Tk 63 crore).
An unusual delay in Sylhet central bus terminal development work in the city's Kodomtoli area has been causing suffering to people as several hundred buses are kept on the main roads stretching for about two kilometres.
None of the buses can be kept inside the terminal area due to the ongoing work. Indiscriminate parking in the area also causes severe traffic congestion. Besides, Sylhet Railway Station stands on the same road.
The tenure of the WB-supported project had been extended until June this year. Earlier, the contractor missed June, 2021 deadline due to the Covid-19 pandemic, officials concerned said.
The Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) started the project in 2019 at a cost of Tk 650 million, financed by the World Bank, under the municipal governance support project.
General Secretary of District Sarak Paribahan Samity Ziaul Kabir Polash said, "We are compelled to park inter-district buses on the main roads as works are inside the terminal site, causing nagging traffic congestion for hours".
When contacted, SCC Chief Engineer Nur Azizur Rahman said, "We are in much trouble with these works. The project has been delayed for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the donors extended its time until June 2021. Again, it was extended until June this year. We are trying our best to finish the job within the deadline".
The terminal has to handle over a thousand buses every day to various destinations in the region as well as to the capital and other districts including northern part of the country and greater Mymensingh region. Established on 7.5 acres of land in the city's Kodomtoli area, the central bus terminal plays a key role in the region's road communication with the rest of the country.
Besides, there is none to see passengers' complaints. Some private operators have very limited arrangements outside the terminal for their passengers, but others don't bother in this regard. Over 300 makeshift and floating vendors also create much trouble while huge waste, including plastic bottles and other goods are thrown here and there openly on the whole terminal area.
On the other hand, there is no arrangement for cleaning the terminal area regularly causing much problem for the passengers while the situation gets worse during the monsoon.
Under the project, a new building has been constructed to provide separate waiting spaces for passengers, toilet and pure drinking water facility in addition to room for law enforcers and others.
Separate parking zones alongside entry and exit areas for different destinations are also being set up under the project.
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