The government is intent on building the Padma bridge even if it means to scale down the design and let only cars use it, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told Parliament on Wednesday.
She said there were two options for the much-coveted 6.15km bridge over the Padma River — one for cars only and 'double decker' for cars and trains. "If needed, we will adopt the alternative plan," she said indicating that the government might go for the cheaper option responding to a supplementary question of Awami League MP Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
Hasina hinted that the cheaper option would perhaps be taken up if foreign funds became unavailable.
The World Bank that agreed to contribute about $ 1.2 billion in $ 2.9 billion project announced that it was pulling out in end-June. But the government is still said to be working on getting the lending agency back on board.
As regards which option to go for, Hasina said, "The Bridges Division is working on this."
She, however, said the government is weighing different options to build the bridge and it would opt for the most viable, cost-effective and swift alternative.
"But we will build the bridge at any cost," she said reiterating her strong resolve regarding this project.
The government is scrutinising a Malaysian proposal while the process to construct the bridge with domestic funds is still on-going, she added.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia submitted its concessional offer on Padma bridge on Aug 27 and the government was still analysing it.
Hasina said it was not appropriate on the World Bank's part to cancel its loan pledge without discussing the issue at the lending agency's board.
"Due to the cancellation, project implementation has been delayed."
She said the government spent Tk 15 billion on land acquisition and rehabilitation and on different occasions, World Bank officials inspected the programme.
"But they did not find any corruption in the programme and yet they found corruption where no money was disbursed," she wondered.
The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA and Islamic Development Bank did not disburse a single penny for the project, the Prime Minister said.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) pledged $610 million. The Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank is also to provide $140 million and Japan International Cooperation Agency said it would contribute $ 400 million to the project.
Integrity advisor
Her Economic Affairs Advisor Mashiur Rahman was appointed integrity advisor to the project to ensure transparency in line with World Bank recommendation, Hasina said.
The lending agency put forward four conditions but so far the government has fulfilled three of them. The government is, however, reluctant to give in to the last one – sacking Masiur Rahman.
A former World Bank official was also appointed as member of the evaluation committee as per recommendation from the lending agency, the Prime Minister said.
The Anti-Corruption Commission is independently investigating a corruption allegation for appointing a consultant, she added.
She said there were two options for the much-coveted 6.15km bridge over the Padma River — one for cars only and 'double decker' for cars and trains. "If needed, we will adopt the alternative plan," she said indicating that the government might go for the cheaper option responding to a supplementary question of Awami League MP Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
Hasina hinted that the cheaper option would perhaps be taken up if foreign funds became unavailable.
The World Bank that agreed to contribute about $ 1.2 billion in $ 2.9 billion project announced that it was pulling out in end-June. But the government is still said to be working on getting the lending agency back on board.
As regards which option to go for, Hasina said, "The Bridges Division is working on this."
She, however, said the government is weighing different options to build the bridge and it would opt for the most viable, cost-effective and swift alternative.
"But we will build the bridge at any cost," she said reiterating her strong resolve regarding this project.
The government is scrutinising a Malaysian proposal while the process to construct the bridge with domestic funds is still on-going, she added.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia submitted its concessional offer on Padma bridge on Aug 27 and the government was still analysing it.
Hasina said it was not appropriate on the World Bank's part to cancel its loan pledge without discussing the issue at the lending agency's board.
"Due to the cancellation, project implementation has been delayed."
She said the government spent Tk 15 billion on land acquisition and rehabilitation and on different occasions, World Bank officials inspected the programme.
"But they did not find any corruption in the programme and yet they found corruption where no money was disbursed," she wondered.
The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA and Islamic Development Bank did not disburse a single penny for the project, the Prime Minister said.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) pledged $610 million. The Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank is also to provide $140 million and Japan International Cooperation Agency said it would contribute $ 400 million to the project.
Integrity advisor
Her Economic Affairs Advisor Mashiur Rahman was appointed integrity advisor to the project to ensure transparency in line with World Bank recommendation, Hasina said.
The lending agency put forward four conditions but so far the government has fulfilled three of them. The government is, however, reluctant to give in to the last one – sacking Masiur Rahman.
A former World Bank official was also appointed as member of the evaluation committee as per recommendation from the lending agency, the Prime Minister said.
The Anti-Corruption Commission is independently investigating a corruption allegation for appointing a consultant, she added.
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