Dhaka: Finance Minister AMA Muhith proposed Tk 26,329 crore budget for the communication infrastructure sector in the fiscal year 2015-16 (FY2015-16).

‘In order to improve the communication network of the western part of Bangladesh, 61 bridges will be reconstructed’.

The minister said the government has a plan to construct the 2nd Padma Bridge at Paturia-Goalando point in future.

Muhith also said Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will procure 300 double-decker and 100 articulated buses. Besides, required number of driving instructors will be groomed to impart effective training to motor drivers.

‘Steps have been taken to make five inactive Motor Vehicle Inspection Centres effective to facilitate automatic issuance of fitness certificates. Besides, we are going to set-up an e-Ticketing clearing house to provide uninterrupted transport service in coordination with different transport operators’, the minister added.

Development of rail network

The government has formulated a 20-year Railway Master Plan. As part of the plan Tk 2,33,946 will be spent for implementation of 235 projects.

Moreover, Meherpur district will be brought under the rail network. Rail service will be launched on the Padma Bridge, and a plan to construct a rail bridge on the northern side of the Bangabandhu Bridge on the river Jomuna has been included in the budget.

Besides, government will construct two dual-gauge lines in the Dhaka-Tongi and dual-gauge double line in the Tongi-Joydevpur sections, and construct a parallel dual-gauge line along the existing meter-gauge line of Dhaka-Narayanganj section.

‘As part of expanding the regional rail network, Akhaura-Agartola rail connectivity will be established’, said the minister.

The Padma Bridge

The minister said that considerable progress has been made in the construction of the Padma Bridge with domestic financing.

‘We expect to open the bridge for transportation by 2018.’

Metro Rail line

The government is expecting to complete the construction of Metro Rail line by 2019. The minister placed other plans to ease traffic congestion in the capital city.

‘Preliminary design and route survey for the construction of Bus Rapid Transit from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and from Airport to Jhilmill have been finalised. Construction of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover is going on in full swing. My personal opinion is that there should be a separate coordinating authority for traffic management in the capital.’

The minister also informed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the China Communication Company Ltd. to construct a tunnel underneath the Karnaphuli River.

‘It will enhance the connectivity between the eastern and western parts of Chittagong as well as reduce traffic congestion.’

Port and Water Transportation

The minister said steps have been taken to develop the port infrastructure with the government’s own funding in the preparatory stage of construction of Fast Track Paira Port project.

Besides, a project has been taken up to procure container and cargo handling machinery in the Mongla Sea port.

‘A few friendly countries have expressed their interest to finance the construction of a deep-sea port in Sonadia on G-2-G basis.’

More airports

The Finance Minister said the government has plans to construct two more airports—Khan Jahan Ali and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Airports.

Besides, the government has taken steps to improve the capacity of Hazrat Shahajalal International Airport to provide better services.

At the same time, the Cox’s Bazar Airport development project is going to be initiated, added the minister.