Both time and cost of the important Khulna-Mongla rail line project are set to shoot up again after it has faced different types of problems for years.
The scheme’s second revision proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission, seeking an increase of Tk 21.81 billion in cost and time extension by 1.7 years.
Now, the three-year project’s time is likely to be extended to 11 years, the Planning Commission sources said.
The government launched the “Khulna-Mongla Port railway project” to construct a 64.750km rail line and establish a direct rail link between the capital city Dhaka and the country’s second largest seaport.
There was also an objective to develop the tourism sector surrounding the world’s largest mangrove forest -- the Sundarbans.
The original project deadline was September 2010 to December 2013 when the project was first approved. Later, project time was extended by one year without hiking project costs.
The project work was not complete even after two subsequent time extensions by three years and and two years until June 5, 2020.
The project work did not finish after a 2.5 years of time extension until December 2022.
Now, the time has been proposed to be extended by 1.7 years to July 2024 in the proposed second revision.
The project cost was estimated at Tk 17.21 billion when it was first approved, which went up to Tk 20.80 billion. The cost is shooting up again to Tk 42.62 billion in line with the second revision proposal.
The project saw 96 percent physical progress until November last year, while its financial progress stood at 85.61 percent with Tk 36.48 billion cumulative expenditure.
About the further time extension, the ministry of railways argued that the project work was or is being carried out by taking advice from consultants after reviewing design because of low soil quality, Planning Commission sources said.
Besides, more time is required as actual design settlement is greater than the approved one. Close monitoring is done by the consultant, contractor and project representative which is consuming more time.
Land acquisition is still going on while land acquisition is yet to be done for a station approach road.
Moreover, a 12 months defect liability period is required after completion of the construction work, the Ministry of Railway argued.
Meanwhile, the public sector project watchdog IMED raised questions about the quality of some project work in the rail stations and service areas. It questioned the quality of the fittings and wood quality of the doors.
Physical Infrastructure Division Member Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said, “Proper implementation of the project will connect the Mongla port main railway network. At the same time, it will help in economic development through establishing regional railway connectivity.”
