The total cost of DUTP is now US $118 million, of which IDA's share is around US$93 million. The rest of the project cost worth US$25 million is being borne by the government.

The aide memoire noted that only 48 per cent works of the DUTP have so far been implemented since June 16 1999. Since last November only 18 percent progress has been made on the same project.

As the DUTP enters the final year, the IDA mission suggested that a 50-percent increase is needed in the current rate of implementation progress to complete the project works. The concluding period of the project is June 30 2004.

The works of the DUTP comprise the construction of Mohakhali Fly over and Tongi bypass, improvement of roads, traffic signals of various important sections, three bus terminals of the city, introduction of more Non Motorised Transport (NMT)-free roads to the existing ones, procurement of equipment for the DMP and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the Road and Highways Department (RHD) and others.

The IDA mission expressed its concern over the construction work of Mohakhali flyover and said it may not be completed within the stipulated time.

The aide memoire, however, emphasised the need for addressing the growing challenges facing the transport system in Dhaka.

The IDA mission urges the government to implement the Road and Traffic Maintenance Fund for the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), to reorganise the DCC road function, to strength traffic enforcement along arterial corridors by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), to implement the parking policy and a pilot bus-route franchise, to initiate the strategic transport plan, and to improve the effectiveness of the Dhaka Transport Co-ordination Board.