In April 2017, the government undertook the Hi-Tech Park construction project in 12 districts of the country with the aim of building skilled manpower in the IT sector and creating employment opportunities. The duration of this project, which is mainly being implemented with Indian loans, has been extended twice so far. The last extension expired last June. But the work progress is only 36 percent. In this situation, the project authority has proposed to extend the period for another three years. However, the interim government may agree to extend the term by one year instead of three years, according to related sources. Along with this, the government is walking the path of some cuts in the project to reduce the expenditure.
It is learned that in order to reduce costs, the initial decision has been made to exclude the districts where the progress of work is least from the project. These four districts are Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Comilla and Chittagong. Apart from this, there were to be six cineplexes in hi-tech parks in six districts. There are also cuts being made. A preliminary decision has been taken to drop five cineplexes. Only Hi-Tech Park in Keraniganj will have Cineplex.
When asked about the slowness of the project, the Hi-Tech Park authorities said that the main reason for the delay is the Corona period. Then due to delay in allotment and acquisition of land, re-tendering due to non-participation of bidders in some procurement packages, delays in delivery of various packages including design and estimation of various packages by Indian consulting firm in 12 districts, took a lot of time to start the project.
In this regard, Project Director (Joint Secretary) AKAM Fazlul Haque told Ajker newspaper, 'Even though the project was said to have started in 2017, the work actually started in 2022. Due to the expiration of the term, everyone's salary has stopped for four months, work has also stopped. We are trying to start the work by extending the period. Some cuts are also being decided.'
Indians have started to return
There were 48 Indians working in the project, including consultants and contractors. The project director said that they left the country due to security threats after the political change on August 5. Stating that the departed Indians have now started returning, he said, '8 Indians have already returned to the country. The rest will also return when the project starts. The project director said that even though some Indians have returned, the work is not starting. It is not possible to bring construction materials from India.
Repeated tenure and cost escalation
Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority is implementing the project. The project was approved on April 25, 2017 in ECNEC meeting to build hi-tech parks in 12 districts Khulna, Barisal, Rangpur, Natore, Chittagong, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Gopalganj, Dhaka and Sylhet. The duration of the project in the first phase is till June 2020. And the cost of the project is fixed at 1 thousand 796 crore 40 lakh taka. Out of this, Bangladesh government's funding was Tk 252 crore 40 lakh. And the loan assistance of the Indian government was 1 thousand 544 crores.
Then in light of the recommendation of the NEC meeting on May 19, 2020, the duration of the project was extended by 1 year to June 30, 2021. With the increase in the period, the expenditure also increased to 1 thousand 846 crore 9 lakh taka. Out of this, the expenditure of the Bangladesh government is estimated at 302 million taka. And the loan assistance of the Indian government is estimated at 1 thousand 544 crores. After that, in the light of the decision of the Planning Commission, on October 12, 2021, the period was extended to June 30, 2024. As this also expired, the project authorities proposed to extend the period by another 3 years till June 2027. Along with that, it is proposed to increase the expenditure to Tk 4 thousand 197 crore 80 lakhs.
The proposal cited time-consuming allocation and acquisition of land at various locations, delay in calling for tenders for projects and lack of participation of bidders in some procurement packages, justifying the cost hike.
However, the project director said, 'We have proposed to the relevant government department to extend the project period up to 2027. The department felt the need and agreed to extend the project by one year excluding the work on Comilla, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet sections. We are taking necessary steps for that.'
When contacted in this regard, Abdur Rauf, Head of the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Department of the Planning Commission, told Ajker newspaper that the proposal has been presented at the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting. Expenditure and duration may be extended in order to maintain the normal operation of the project and to settle financing-related issues with the development partner.
