Kirtonkhola bridge uncertain
Our Correspondent, Barisal
Construction of the proposed bridge on Kirtonkhola river on the eastern outskirts of Barisal city has become uncertain following a row between the Communication Mministry and the Kuwait Fund for International Development (KFID) which has provided loan for the project. KFID pledged to give Tk 177 core for the Tk 200 crore bridge. Responding to a long-standing demand of people, the government in 2003 took up a plan to construct a bridge on the Kirtonkhola to connect Barisal with Patuakhali, Bhola, Laxmipur and Chittagong. After assurance from the KFID, the communications ministry invited international tender. The tender was opened on September 2 last year. A Bangladeshi company was adjudged the lowest bidder, trailed by a Chinese company. The ministry recommended the Bangladeshi company for the work. But KFID, after scrutinising papers, termed the Bangladeshi company's bid 'unrealistic' and suggested the ministry to give the work to the Chinese company. On November 13, last year, KFID again sent a letter to the ministry suggesting it to give the work to the Chinese company, saying that it (Chinese company) has experience in construction of big bridges. The ministry remained firm on its evaluation and sent a letter again to KFID on April 6 this year suggesting the name of the Bangladeshi company. KFID then sent three letters on May 15, 27 and 29 this year recommending the Chinese company for the work. Since then, there has not been any communication between KFID and the ministry, making the proposed bridge uncertain, sources claimed. On December 14, a meeting of the Committee for Development of Barisal Division, a citizens' forum, was told that the fund for the bridge would be withdrawn if the dispute is not resolved by December 31. Some sources in Dhaka linked with the project, when contacted over phone, claimed that KFID may withdraw the fund if the matter is not resolved soon. KFID officials could not be contacted despite repeated efforts. When contacted over phone, its project director Md. Abdullah-al- Kafi said he does not know anything about withdrawal of the KFID fund. "It is a matter to be decided by higher authorities", he said. He however said land acquisition for the bridge is going on. The Roads and Highways Department started the land acquisition work in September this year. Sources said there is not link between land acquisition and funding by KFID. The land acquisition will continue even if the KFID fund is withdrawn. In that case the bridge construction will be delayed indefinitely, they said.
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