Dhaka Eastern Bypass
Govt seeks assistance from donors
Country's second most important project in terms of poverty alleviation cannot be launched due to fund constraints
City Correspondent
The Water Resources Ministry has requested the Economic Relations Division (ERD) to seek foreign financial assistance for the Dhaka Eastern Bypass Project, sources said.The 30-km long Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment Cum Eastern Bypass Project would cost around Tk 2,475 crore and encompass the 124 square km area from Tongi railway bridge to Kanchpur bridge. An inter-ministerial meeting in July 2004 classified the project as the second most important one in terms of national priority to reduce poverty. The project would secure this vast area from recurring floods and also expand the city. It would also play a vital role in diverting west and southbound traffic from northern parts of the country. An official source in the ministry said that a letter was sent to the ERD after the WDB (Water Development Board) okayed an updated version of the project studies. An official source at the ERD said that they had written to several donors seeking funds for the project. "This is a very important project and we are trying to find a donor for it," said the source requesting anonymity. Seven ministries with the water resources ministry in the lead would implement the project. A WDB engineer said that the Eastern Bypass project is one of the most important projects that is set to change the face of the city. He said that considering its importance they are hopeful that the government would give it its due priority. While preparations are underway to launch the long awaited project, the government however has no plan in hand to save the natural canals and water retention ponds in the 124 square kilometre area under the project, mostly low-lying, being filled up indiscriminately. Lack of initiative to retain the natural canals and water retention ponds before the project starts has raised fears among environmentalists and experts that as in the case of the western flood protection embankment, the 'new city extension' on the eastern fringe would be an environmental nightmare, resulting in permanent water logging and other hazards. Most of the low-lying land in the bypass project area is now in the grip of private housing companies and individuals. From Khilkhet to Kanchpur along the river Balu, massive signboards have been installed announcing the start of mega housing projects.
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