The transport sector has sought additional Tk 4000 crore in the upcoming annual development programme before the announcement of budget for the fiscal 2019-20. In this regard, the Roads Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) has sent a letter to the planning commission seeking additional Tk 4000 crore from the government exchequer in the upcoming budget, a senior official of the planning commission told Bangladesh Post on Wednesday.
The ruling government is going to announce its first budget next month. The government has finalised draft ADP for the fiscal 2019-20. The transport sector received the highest allocation of Tk 52,805.69 crore, or 26.5 percent, of the draft ADP of 2019-20 fiscal, said sources. The RTHD letter stated that starting the construction of already approved project is not being possible due to non-disbursement of fund from the government exchequer.
It also stated that 166 projects have been included in different transport sectors. Among them, 86 projects – 14 mega projects, 20 vital projects and some 52 other projects – are now under construction while 86 projects are awaiting for fund allocation or disbursement. Sources said RTHD needs the huge amount as some other projects are also going to be approved by executive committee of the national economic council (ECNEC); which are – construction of four-lane highway from Dhaka (Kanchpur) to Sylhet, support to Dhaka-Chottagram Expressway PPP project, and construction of Baily Bridge at different important points in the country.
Planning Commission sources, however, informed that there is no chance to increase allocation to any sector in ADP as the commission has already drafted and printed its ADP plan. It will be placed before the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at National Economic Council (NEC) meeting soon for the final approval.
They said in the draft ADP, the planning commission has approved Tk 2,02,721 crore original ADP for the next fiscal year (FY20) giving highest priority on the transport sector.
Of the amount, Tk 1,30,921 crore will come from the government resources while the remaining Tk 71,800 crore from project assistance. However, incorporating the autonomous bodies and corporation’s own fund of Tk12,392.73 crore, the draft overall ADP size reached Tk2,15,113.73 crore.
