Dhaka: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has emphasized the critical need for efficiency in implementing development projects, warning that inefficiency could transform these projects into economic burdens for Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister stressed these points while speaking as the chief guest at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop for the proposed Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway (DEWEE) PPP project. Held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, the workshop focused on ensuring the project’s successful implementation.
Minister Rabiul highlighted the importance of the DEWEE project, which aims to enhance regional connectivity by linking various divisions such as Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal, and Khulna with the northern regions, bypassing the main Dhaka city. The nearly 39-kilometre expressway is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the capital and allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 90-100 km per hour, compared to the current 20-30 km per hour.
He expressed concerns over the delays and inefficiencies in large infrastructure projects, citing the Dhaka-Sylhet highway project where land acquisition has been incomplete for four years, leading to a projected cost increase of 30 to 35 percent. Such delays, he noted, deprive citizens of the intended benefits and escalate costs unnecessarily.
The minister urged stakeholders to focus on maintaining quality, time, and cost discipline to achieve the expected internal rate of return from these projects, thereby preventing them from becoming burdens on the national economy. He advocated for a cautious and accountable approach in planning and execution to ensure that projects are not overly ambitious without adequate capacity.
State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Razib Ahsan attended the event as the special guest, while Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf chaired the session. Chief Engineer of the DEWEE project Quazi Md Ferdous provided a visual overview and the project’s team leader elaborated on various project aspects.
The DEWEE project, spanning 38.98 kilometres from Hemayetpur in Savar to Langalbadh in Narayanganj, is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) venture expected to cost Tk 26,000 crore, excluding contingencies and financing costs. Jointly implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the project is slated for completion by 2030.