Dhaka: The government has embarked on a Tk 115.73 crore technical assistance project aimed at introducing advanced bridge health monitoring technology to enhance the maintenance and safety of bridges under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).
According to United News of Bangladesh, the project, titled 'Capacity Development for Smart Maintenance Technology of Bridges under Roads and Highways Department in Bangladesh,' will receive Tk 7.76 crore from the government. Additionally, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will provide a grant of Tk 107.97 crore, equivalent to US$8.85 million. The Road Transport and Highways Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges is sponsoring the project, which will be implemented by the RHD by December 2029.
The project aims to ensure the structural safety and longevity of bridges through an advanced Bridge Health Monitoring System, enabling the RHD to perform timely and cost-effective bridge management and maintenance. Detailed structural inspections will be conducted on three bridges to prepare designs for their repair and rehabilitation. These bridges include the Kamar Khali Bridge on the Daulatdia-Faridpur (Goalchamot)-Magura-Jhenaidah-Jashore-Khulna-Mongla National Highway (N-7), the Demra Bridge on the Tarabo-Demra Road, and the Tora Bridge on the Dhaka (Mirpur)-Uthuli-Paturia-Natakhola-Kashinathpur-Bogura-Rangpur-Beldanga-Banglabandha National Highway (N-5).
The project will also carry out necessary repair and rehabilitation works on the three selected bridges on a pilot basis. Additionally, a Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS) will be installed on the Madhumati Bridge, Kalna Bridge, and Demra Bridge as part of the pilot initiative. An Integrated Bridge Maintenance Centre will also be established at the RHD to facilitate coordinated and smart management of bridges.
The project background reveals that four bridges were initially proposed for piloting. Three bridges will receive repair, monitoring, and design support, while three will be equipped with smart health monitoring technology, with some bridges serving both purposes. The implementation of smart monitoring technology is expected to help identify structural issues in bridges early, allowing for timely maintenance and extending the service life of the structures.
The project proposal was initially sent to the Planning Commission with an estimated cost of Tk 107.97 crore, fully financed by KOICA, for implementation from January 2025 to December 2028. Following recommendations at a Special Project Evaluation Committee (SPEC) meeting, the proposal was revised, increasing the total estimated cost to Tk 115.73 crore, with government funding of Tk 7.76 crore and KOICA grant assistance of Tk 107.97 crore. The implementation period was adjusted to July 2026 to December 2029.
The SPEC meeting, held at the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission on July 3, 2026, recommended the project for approval by the ECNEC at the revised cost. The project is also expected to contribute to the government's goal of establishing an integrated and smart management framework in the road transport system to enhance discipline, safety, and efficiency, as outlined in the third chapter of the Election Manifesto 2026. The Economic Relations Division has already provided its consent regarding the foreign assistance from KOICA.