WB offers US$ 250m to build Bus Rapid Transit Line-3

[bluesky]

04 Dec 2016, 14:21:56 | Updated : 04 Dec 2016, 14:25:34

WB offers US$ 250m to build Bus Rapid Transit Line-3

The World Bank (WB) has offered US$ 250 million loan to Bangladesh for the construction of Airport-Mohakhali phase of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 3 in capital Dhaka.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader disclosed this while talking to reporters after a meeting with a five-member WB delegation, headed by its Operation Manager for Bangladesh Rajeshree S Paralkar.

The minister said the feasibility study and the detailed design for the phase 1 Airport-Mohakhali) of BRT Line 3 has been completed by the WB.

Despite withdrawing from the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project (PMBT), the WB has a positive intent to work on various development projects in the country which has been made clear during the WB chief's recent visit to Bangladesh, he added.

Quader also informed that the WB will let its loan disbursement scheme for the BRT Line 3 Phase 1 by January next.

The WB will also send a technical team to be sure whether the construction of the BRT Line 3 Phase 1 will create any traffic congestion in the area, according to a news agency.

 

[Mage]

Very good. With BRT and metro rail hopefully traffic jam in Dhaka will lessen. It's time govt starts thinking about reducing the number of rickshaws.

 

[Bilal9]

I think the WB became intensely interested after Bangladesh got the $24 Billion loan (altogether) from China. They were thinking "Jodi Chhutey jai" - but already "Chhutey gesey".

Money is about influence, and its well known that WB is run by neoconservative agenda.

Three out of the four past WB presidents have been neoconservatives. Look up their backgrounds on Wiki.

Sir James Wolfensohn1995–2005 United States
Australia[note 1]Corporate lawyer and banker

Paul Wolfowitz2005–2007 United StatesVarious cabinet and government positions; US Ambassador to Indonesia, US Deputy Secretary of Defense

Robert Zoellick2007–2012 United StatesBank executive with Goldman Sachs, Deputy Secretary of State and US Trade Representative

Jim Yong Kim2012–present Korea Republic
United StatesKorean-American physician and anthropologist, co-founder of Partners in Health and 17th President of Dartmouth College.[3] Elected on 16 April 2012.

The Roads and Highways Department has signed China Gezhouba Group Co Ltd for the building of the first phase (16-kilometre transit lane) and they will get the other ones too, just watch. WB is not getting it.

 

[Mage]

The Roads and Highways Department has signed China Gezhouba Group Co Ltd for the building of the first phase (16-kilometre transit lane) and they will get the other ones too, just watch. WB is not getting it.

How long will it take to complete the first phase? I'm very glad these issues are being worked on. We need to take care of the traffic jam in Dhaka.

I wish we'd take some steps to make Dhaka cleaner as well.

 

[bluesky]

How long will it take to complete the first phase? I'm very glad these issues are being worked on. We need to take care of the traffic jam in Dhaka. I wish we'd take some steps to make Dhaka cleaner as well.

Obaidul Quader informed that the WB will let its loan disbursement scheme for the BRT Line 3 Phase 1 by January next. But, the report does not say when the project will be completed. People should understand that WB is only a lending agency and not a construction company like the Chinese ones.

However, after the floating of tender, a Chinese company, like companies from other countries, is also eligible to participate in a bidding process. I believe, since WB fund will be used, therefore, it will have a hand to select the successful bidder.

 

[Bilal9]

Obaidul Quader informed that the WB will let its loan disbursement scheme for the BRT Line 3 Phase 1 by January next. But, the report does not say when the project will be completed. People should understand that WB is only a lending agency and not a construction company like the Chinese ones.

However, after the floating of tender, a Chinese company, like companies from other countries, is also eligible to participate in a bidding process. I believe, since WB fund will be used, therefore, it will have a hand to select the successful bidder.

If WB has a say, then most probably bidder like SIMPLEX or L&T will get it. I am not unhappy with SIMPLEX' quality of work (they completed Jatrabari flyover), but they are constructing the Teesta Dam as well, so politically there is an issue.

 

[bluesky]

but they are constructing the Teesta Dam as well

There is also a dam over Teesta in BD. Are you talking about the Indian one?

 

[Bilal9]

There is also a dam over Teesta in BD. Are you talking about the Indian one?

Yes. This is the project as of two years ago. Probably far more ahead now.....