Implementing some mega projects in the transport and aviation sector is getting priority in the proposed budget for 2022-23 fiscal year.
During the budget presentation in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said: “Implementation of a large number of mega-projects is currently underway in the country. The Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Metro Rail, Karnafuli Tunnel and elevated expressway from Dhaka Airport to Kutubkhali near Jatrabari will be opened soon.
“Apart from these, completion of several other major projects, including Payra Seaport and Matarbari Deep Seaport, will add a new dimension to the progress of the country.”
He added that implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Dhaka city is in progress to strengthen road safety, reduce traffic congestion and develop an affordable public transport system.
The expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (1st phase) will get a chunk of Tk6,019 crore in the proposed budget followed by Padma Bridge Rail Link Project with Tk5,809 crore. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge Construction Project will get around Tk3,851 crore, Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway construction project will have around Tk3,703 crore and metro rail under the MRT Line-6 will receive Tk2,883 crore.
Highway network
According to the Finance Division, in the last 13 years, the government has implemented 357 road development projects and taken up 448 new projects. Work is underway to upgrade 914.84km of highways to four lanes or above. Moreover, construction work has begun to upgrade the two-lane Dhaka-Sylhet Highway to four lanes.
At present, 26 projects under the Road Transport and Highways Division are being implemented. The division has been given Tk36,647 crore in the proposed budget.
Railways and shipping
Considering the importance of the railway sector as comfortable, affordable, safe and low-cost transport for passengers and goods, the government has taken a range of steps to ensure a balanced and integrated development of the sector.
As part of the 30-year revised Master Plan (2016-2045) of the Bangladesh Railway, steps have been taken to connect Dhaka with Cox’s Bazar, Mongla Port, Tungipara, Barisal, Chattogram Hill Tracts and other parts of the country under the railway network.
The initiatives included in the plan are: establishing Trans-Asian Railway and Regional Railway Network and connecting important cities with the nearest suburbs by introducing a modern commuter train service. Under this master plan, 230 projects will be implemented in 6 phases at a cost of Tk550,000 crore.
Therefore, the budget for FY23 proposes Tk18,553 crore, slightly up from the outgoing fiscal.
The Shipping Ministry will get a big amount in FY23 as it has been proposed a tranche of TK7,223crore. The amount was Tk5,137crore in FY22.
In his budget speech, the finance minister said: “The government is always striving to develop a safe, sustainable, environment-friendly and affordable communication infrastructure for building Bangladesh as a modern and developed country. To this end, we are working to build an effective domestic and international communication network through integrated investment in roads, bridges, railway, water and air transport.”