The government has initiated the Resilient Urban and Territorial Development Project (RUTDP), with an estimated cost of Tk5,901.22 crore, aimed at improving climate-resilient urban infrastructure and services across Bangladesh.

The project is set to be presented at today’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting for approval, according to an official of the Planning Commission.

The initiative, planned to be implemented by June 2030, is expected to benefit six city corporations and 81 municipalities in 37 districts across five divisions of the country, the official added.

“Of the total project cost, Tk1,641.62 crore will be sourced from the

Government of Bangladesh (GoB), while Tk4,259.60 crore will be provided as a project loan from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank,” he mentioned.

According to the project proposal, the RUTDP will focus on enhancing the climate resilience of selected urban areas, particularly those situated within three key economic growth corridors. The project aims to improve urban infrastructure and services while boosting the capacity for planning, implementation, and maintenance in the participating municipalities and city corporations.

The RUTDP will prioritise significant urban infrastructure improvements,

including the acquisition of eight acres of land for development purposes. It will upgrade 880 kilometres of urban roads and construct 2,000 metres of bridges and culverts to ensure better connectivity and flood resilience.

Additionally, 200 kilometres of walkways and footpaths will be developed, alongside the installation of 595 kilometres of street lighting to enhance

pedestrian safety and nighttime visibility. The project also includes the construction of 10 bus terminals, 10 kitchen markets, and 10 municipal super markets to improve public transportation and market facilities.

Other key developments will include drainage systems, protective works, retaining walls, the creation of 10 parks or public spaces, 10 market-cum-community centres, and 20 public toilets to enhance sanitation.

A new municipal building will be constructed in Dinajpur, and 70 vehicles and equipment will be procured to bolster municipal services across the project area.

With approximately 40% of Bangladesh’s population living in urban areas, the country faces significant challenges in providing basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and waste management.

Rapid urbanisation has further strained existing infrastructure, particularly in municipalities. Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, is also highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including cyclones, floods, droughts, and rising temperatures.

As climate change accelerates, increasing numbers of people, particularly from vulnerable and impoverished communities, are relocating to urban areas, placing additional pressure on urban infrastructure and driving demand for climate-resilient solutions.

In response, the government and the World Bank completed a loan negotiation on 21 May 2024 to implement this vital project.

The RUTDP is expected to significantly improve the quality of life in the country’s urban centres while addressing critical infrastructure gaps and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This comprehensive project marks a significant step towards creating sustainable and resilient urban environments in the country, positioning the country to better manage future climate-related risks and population growth.

According to sources at the Planning Commission, a total of four projects from four ministries or divisions will be presented at today’s ECNEC meeting. These include two new and two revised projects.

Among them, three projects will be implemented through funding from the government and foreign loans, while one project will be financed through a combination of government funds, project loans, and the organisation’s own resources.

Additionally, eight projects will be proposed for time extensions.

The SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2, which involves upgrading the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur Highway to four lanes (2nd revision), is one such project initiated by the Roads and Highways Division.

Initially approved with an estimated budget of Tk11,899 crore, the revised proposal now stands at Tk19,056 crore. The government will finance Tk7,860 crore, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) providing a loan of Tk11,195 crore. The revised project period has been extended from September 2016 to December 2026.

Another significant project is the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat, undertaken by the Ministry of Railways.

The project, with an estimated budget of Tk11,560.76 crore, aims to strengthen rail connectivity between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. It is scheduled to begin in July 2024 and be completed by December 2030.

Of the total cost, Tk4,435.63 crore will be funded by GoB, while the remaining Tk7,125.14 crore will be financed through project loans from South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF).

Sources also mentioned that the Matarbari Port Development Project (2nd revision), initiated by the Ministry of Shipping, was initially approved with an estimated budget of Tk17,777 crore, which has now been revised to Tk24,381 crore.

Of this, the government will contribute Tk3,544 crore, the organisation’s own funds will amount to Tk2,867 crore, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide a loan of Tk17,969 crore. The project is expected to be implemented from January 2020 to December 2026 in Maheshkhali Upazila, Cox’s Bazar district.

Of the eight projects slated for submission seeking time extensions, six fall under the Physical Infrastructure Division.

These include the construction of a new Circuit House in Kushtia (1st revision), upgrading the Bhuyapur-Tarakandi District Highway (1st revision), upgrading the Bairagir Pool (Barisal)-Tumchar-Bauphal (Patuakhali) District Highway (1st revision), upgrading the Barisal-Bhola-Laxmipur National Highway (1st revision), constructing the Goma Bridge on the Rangamati River at the 14th kilometre of the Barishal-Dinara-Patuakhali District Highway (1st revision), and constructing the Rajapur Bridge (PC Girder) on the Kulaura-Pritimpasha-Hazipur-Sharifpur Road, along with 7.5 kilometres of connecting roads (1st revision).

Two additional projects from the Industry and Energy Division are also being submitted for time extensions: the Pre-Payment Metering Project for Six NOCS Divisions under DPDC (Special Revision) and the New Campus Establishment Project for Jagannath University, involving land acquisition and development.