File photo: Moneycontrol
Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to provide more than US$333 million for implanting two projects in Bangladesh.
The ADB signed a loan agreement worth $300 million with the government on Wednesday to expand transmission lines in Greater Dhaka and the western zone of Bangladesh.
On the same day, another loan agreement worth $33.26 million was signed for a project to design the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line 5 (Southern Route) that will help ease the traffic and pollution burden in the capital Dhaka.
Monowar Ahmed, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Manmohan Parkash, Country Director of the ADB, signed the agreements on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, at a ceremony in Dhaka on the day.
Besides, the ADB’s loan, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is considering $200 million in co-financing to finance transmission lines, substations, and an enterprise resource planning system, according to a press statement, issued by the ADB.
The assistance also comprises a $750,000 grant from the People’s Republic of China’s Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund (PRC Fund).
The assistance for the Dhaka and Western Zone Transmission Grid Expansion Project will be utilized to construct 40 kilometers (km) of transmission lines and 4,450 megavolt-ampere (MVA) of substations in Greater Dhaka, as well as 368 km of transmission lines, 3,070 MVA of substations, and 20 bay extensions in the western zone.
It will also establish an enterprise resource planning system, and a Drone Inspection Center to improve operation efficiency and enhance workspace safety in the executing agency, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited.
On the other hand, the planned MRT Line 5 will serve as one of the city’s few east–west corridors and provide connections with other MRT and bus rapid transit lines going north–south. Construction would require almost 13 km underground with 12 stations, while the remaining section will be elevated with 4 stations.
The project will also design measures for climate and natural disaster resilience, and integrate features for women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities into the design.
The design will also include advanced technology such as automated ticketing and a fare collection system with an integrated database for operations management.
Line 5 is one of three high-priority lines in the capital planned for completion by 2030.
The actual Line 5 project is estimated to cost about $2.5 billion and will be considered for subsequent ADB financing.
BBN/SSR/AD