Bangladesh is rapidly moving up towards being a fully developed country. It has the fastest-growing economies in any country and investors hail it as one of the top emerging markets. Currently, it is enjoying being the world’s 43rd largest economy by GDP and if everything goes as planned Bangladesh will achieve high-income status by 2041. To make that vision a reality, the government has taken several initiatives and is working towards building a robust infrastructure across the country to boost the economy through industrialization. That is to say, there are multiple megaprojects in Bangladesh that are currently underway and in this article, we will discuss the 5 most important ones in detail.
Padma multipurpose bridge
Project location: Louhajong, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur
Length: 6.15 km
Completion status: 88%
Cost: $3.6 billion
Considered one of the most challenging megaprojects in Bangladesh, the Padma multipurpose bridge spans the Padma river and connects the southwest region to northern and eastern areas. The construction of the bridge is currently underway. The structure accommodates a four-lane highway on top and a single-track railway on the lower level. The massive truss bridge will be about 6.15 km when completed the nation’s longest. Officials in the country have high hopes for the Padma multipurpose bridge and believe it will boost the local economy by 1.2 percent.
Dhaka MRT Line-6
No of Stations: 16 (Elevated)
Length: 20.10 km
Terminals: Uttara Terminal, and Kamalapur Railway Station
Interchange stations: Kamalapur Railway Station (MRT Line 1, 2, 4, 6)
Depot: Uttara Terminal
Proposed completion date: 2022
Completion status: 73%
Cost: $2.8 billion
As per the directives of the Honourable Prime Minister works for detailed design and land acquisition is underway to extend MRT Line-6 by 1.16 kilometers from Motijheel to Kamlapur railway station. Currently, the metro trains that are expected to operate on this route is going through testing and has done a couple of trial run as well. If everything goes smoothly, it will be fully operational by December 2022.
Route alignment: Uttara 3rd Phase – Pallabi – through the western side of Rokeya Sarani to Farmgate via Khamar Bari – Hotel Sonargaon – Shahbagh – TSC – Doyel Chattar – Topkhana Road – Bangladesh Bank
Karnaphuli Tunnel
Project Location: Chattogram, Karnaphuli River
Length: 3.32 km
Completion status: 75%
Cost: $1.2 billion
Expected to open in 2022, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel will be the first river tunnel in Asia. Located in Chattogram the country’s most active port city, the underground thruway will measure 3.32 km and span about 34 feet. Analysts expect the final tally to be in the $1.1 billion range and about half of the project’s financing is funneling through the Exim Bank of China.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Project Location: Ishwardi
Completion status: 77%
Cost: $12.65 billion
The country’s first nuclear power plant Rooppur is about 140 km west of Dhaka. Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation, a Russian conglomerate is building the energy-critical components and local developers are handling the rest. The year 2023 is the target launch date for two units and officials hope it will help alleviate some of the region’s energy issues currently exacerbated by the growing economy and population.
Matarbari Deep Sea Port
Project location: Cox’s Bazar
Completion status: 30%
Cost: $4.5 Billion
Located in the Moheshkali region, Matabari is a deep seaport, the country’s first. It’s amongst the most important megaprojects in Bangladesh. It’s modeled after two highly trafficked ports in japan Niigata and Kashima. The Japanese international cooperation agency won the contract to manage it. Part of the port is complete and boats have already docked at Matabari, however, the project won’t be completed until 2026.
Megaprojects are the key indicators of a country’s growth and development. From carrying the statement of a nation’s wealth, pride, and power to announcing its emergence in the world, megaprojects have always been the symbol of accomplishments. And it’s no different for Bangladesh.
