Govt Decides to Scrap Unnecessary Projects to Cut Costs

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10 Sep 2024, 14:40

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Wahiduddin Mahmud, Planning Advisor to the interim government, has stated that unnecessary projects may be cut to help address the country’s economic crisis, which could impact megaprojects as well. He noted that the Awami League government prioritized development projects as a key tool for visible progress, despite repeated warnings from economists to reduce emphasis on such projects.

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Over the past decade, the Sheikh Hasina government invested heavily in infrastructure development, with large-scale projects becoming prominent and delivering some benefits to the public. However, many of these projects have raised concerns over excessive costs. In some cases, Bangladesh’s megaprojects are not only among the costliest in Asia but also globally. The interim government now seeks to bring attention to these overlooked issues.
According to Planning Commission sources, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project has been given more importance in the Annual Development Program (ADP) of the current financial year 2024-25. The allocation of this project is Tk10,502 crore. Russia's foreign debt is included here.

Projects that have been given importance in the Annual Development Program (ADP) of the current financial year 2024-25:
Rooppur Nuclear Power Project
Metro Rail Line-6 project
Metro Rail Line-1 project
Metro Rail Line-5 Northern Route Project
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge

Allocation and expenditure highlights:
Rooppur Nuclear Power Project: The allocation of this project is Tk10,502 crore. Tk64,925 crore has been spent on this project till June 2023.
Metro Rail Line-6 project: The allocation of this project is Tk1,975 crore. Tk20,757 crore has been spent so far.
Metro Rail Line-1 project: The allocation of this project is Tk1,942 crore. Tk1,585 crore has been spent so far.
Metro Rail Line-5 Northern Route Project: The allocation of this project is Tk41,239 crore. Tk1,812 crore has been spent so far.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge: The allocation of this project is Tk2,560 crore. Tk500 crore has been spent so far.

These projects have loans from various organizations including Japan. Tk3,544 crore allocated for rail connection project at Padma Bridge. China is lending to implement it. Tk1,453 crore was allocated for the Dohazari-Ramu-Ghumdhum railway project. So far the expenditure is Tk7,172 crore. Its implementation includes loans from China and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Some of the other notable projects are:
Matarbari Port Development
Payra Port Infrastructure Development
Support to Dhaka Elevated Expressway
Construction of Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway
SASEC Link Road Project: Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur Highway Project Upgradation to Four Lanes.

The interim government has already started the effort to rein in spending. The planning ministry has started reining spending money in the name of development projects. 13 proposals of some ministries have already been sent back. Due to the dissolution of the Parliament, almost a thousand crore of bulk allocation for MPs has already been saved. Alternative financing of mega infrastructure is also being considered. The development budget may be cut due to rational reasons to save money.

It is reported that the projects sent back by the Ministry of Planning include:
Chilmari river port
Matarbari port development
Kalurghat rail and road bridge
Rangpur City Corporation road development
Faridpur-Barishal-Kuakata highway

Besides remittances, the cost of Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway Improvement Project, Chattogram-Dohazari Dual Gauge Railway, and Metrorail Line 1 and Line 5 projects are being scrutinized.

The interim government is also going to reduce the national budget. It will cut many allocations of luxury development imagination. Research director of CPD Khondaker Golam Moazzem thinks that this policy of cost reduction is supportable. He said that planning expenses and the purchase of vehicles and equipment should be reduced. A huge amount of money is kept for projects in the name of investment.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already been reconstituted with the chief advisor as chairperson.
Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, planning advisor recently said that numerous projects were taken up for constituencies. Many of those are still ongoing. A lot of people are waiting to go. They are being evaluated whether they have priority or not and how much benefit they will bring. Low-priority projects are being cut on project cost reduction.

Emdad Ullah Mian, Member (Secretary) of the Physical and Infrastructure Department of the Planning Commission, stated that project approvals and funding allocations will be made considering the current economic conditions. He mentioned that a meeting will be held with the Interim Government's Planning and Finance Advisor to discuss mega projects and other initiatives. All actions will follow the policies set by the current government. As of now, there has been no decision on whether any projects will be canceled. The Commission will proceed based on the advisor’s directives.

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