India is not interested in financing the Ashuganj Inland Container River Port construction project’s rail connectivity project. Loan assistance is not available from the Government of India for that part of the project. When there was some uncertainty in the implementation of the project, it was finally decided to continue financing the railway connection program through the government’s own funds. The Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been restructured. The entire project is being revised. This increases the cost of the project. Implementation is falling behind.
Tk 733 crores were supposed to be loaned by the Government of India under the Line of Credit (LoC). The cost of the project is being met from the government’s own funding as Indian loans are not available. After the delay due to debt complications, the cost of the project is increasing by Tk 458 crores. The total construction cost is Tk 1 thousand and 751 crores. At the time of approval of the original project by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the cost was estimated at Tk 1 thousand and 293 crores. Along with the money, the construction period of the project also increased by three years. The time is being extended till the next year 2024. The construction of the project started in 2018. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority is implementing the project initiated by the Ministry of Shipping. Samakal gave this news citing sources from the Ministry of Planning.
Explaining the reasons for the revision of the project, the Ministry of Shipping and the Planning Commission said that the rail connectivity of the project should be implemented through the government’s own funding instead of the Indian LoC. Apart from this, some changes have been made in the drawing and design. Some infrastructure facilities at the port have been enhanced. Some other expenses have gone up, including an increase in consulting costs. Adjustment is necessary for these reasons.
In the proposal of the main project, it is said that a large number of ships come and go through Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria every day. Cargo is loaded and unloaded. Ashuganj has been identified as a ‘port of call’ under the Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol Agreement between Bangladesh and India. The main objective of undertaking the project was to increase regional and sub-regional trade through this port. The project aims to make goods transportation easier on inland waterways from Chattogram, Mongla, and Payarabandar. Considering the importance, the amendment proposal to complete the project through its own financing is being presented to ECNEC for approval.
The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the project proposal. The commission said that if the project is implemented, container transportation to neighbouring countries will be easier. This will increase regional and sub-regional trade. Besides, container transportation through inland waterways from Chattogram, Mongla, and other ports will also be easy. Considering this, the commission is recommending the approval of the revision proposal of the project.
The main activities of this project include – railway connection, construction of towers, construction of about 44 thousand square metres of cargo terminal infrastructure, purchase of 38 pieces of cargo handling equipment, acquisition of about 32 acres of land, construction of about 32 thousand square metres of internal roads, etc.
