After the Awami League government came to power in 2009, it started work on several big projects. Special importance is being given to the implementation of these priority projects of the government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is overseeing the implementation of the projects. Bangladesh is on the verge of getting the benefits of some projects including Padma Bridge-Metrorail. The progress of other projects is also satisfactory. The projects are being implemented in full swing after overcoming the Corona crisis. The government plans to start commercial operation of the first Metrorail section of Bangladesh from Uttara to Agargaon in December next year. Besides, the Padma bridge will be inaugurated in June of the same year. The Ministry of Planning has announced the progress of eight mega projects including these two.
Among the mega projects of the government are: Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, Metrorail Project, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, Dohazari to Ramu Cox's Bazar and Ramu to Ghumdhum Rail Line Construction Project, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project, Matarbari Coal Power Plant Construction Project, LNG , Coal-based Rampal Thermal Power Plant Construction Project, Pigeon Deep Seaport Construction Project and Sonadia Deep Seaport Construction Project. On mega projects, Planning Minister MA Mannan told Jago News, "Once mega projects are launched, the overall picture of the country will change. Per capita income and growth will increase further. Adequate allocation is also provided in the Annual Development Program (ADB) to reap the benefits of mega projects. The projects are being supervised by the highest level of government. Hopefully, in a very short time, the whole nation will reap the benefits of projects like Padma Bridge and Metrorail. '
Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project
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One of the most priority projects of the government is the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project. The total progress of Padma Bridge project till October 2021 is 7.85 percent. Under the project, Tk 26,247.59 crore has already been spent. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 30,193.39 crore. The total length of the bridge is 6.15 km. A total of 41 spans sit on 42 pillars of the two-storey bridge. Cars and trains will run on this bridge.
Metrorail project
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The government has planned to start commercial operation of the first metro rail section of Bangladesh from Uttara to Agargaon in December next year. The 20.10 km long project will be constructed from Uttara third phase to Kamalapur. The overall progress of the project is 72 %. However, the progress of the project from Uttara third phase to Agargaon is 69.61 percent. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 22,000 crore.
Rail connection project of Padma bridge
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The Padma Bridge rail link project is moving forward with Chinese funding. National and international rail link are going to be established over the abundant hoped-for Padma Bridge through construction of 162 kilometer gauge railway line from national capital to Jessore. This railway can establish the primary railway association in twenty three districts of the southern a part of the country. the overall progress of the project is forty six p.c and therefore the monetary progress is nineteen thousand 910 large integer.
Dohazari-Ramu-Ghumdhum railway line project
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Construction of 18 km railway line from Dohazari in Chittagong to Ghumdhum via Ramu in Cox's Bazar is underway. The progress of the project is 74 percent and a total of Tk 5,960 crore has been spent under the project. The total cost of the project is estimated at Tk 18,034 crore. The external debt of the project will be Tk 13,115 crore and the rest will be repaid from the government treasury.
Under the project, the tourist city of Cox's Bazar will have an oyster-shaped iconic station. Three big bridges are being built over Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bankkhali rivers. A flyover is being built at Kenochia in Satkania.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project
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In December 2015, the government signed an agreement with Russia's Atomstroy Export to build a 2,400-megawatt nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna. The implementation period of the agreement is seven years. The first unit of the power plant is scheduled to be commissioned in 2023 and the second unit in October 2024. The power plant will generate electricity for 60 years. The first nuclear power plant of Bangladesh is being constructed at Rooppur in Pabna at a cost of Taka 11,200 crore with the cooperation of Russia. The total progress of the project is 40.34 percent. In the meantime, the total expenditure under the project has been 43 thousand 97 crore. The project will be completed in December 2025.
Pigeon deep seaport construction project
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Among the mega projects of the government, the progress of Pigeon deep seaport construction project is good. In the meantime, the activities of the port have started in moderation. The total progress of the project is 63 percent. The project has so far cost Tk 3,084 crore. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 4,384 crore. The project will be completed in June 2024. Work is also in progress to develop the communication system from Pigeon to Dhaka. The government's goal is to complete the channel dredging at a depth of 18 meters by 2023 to build a full port facility. Pigeon deep seaport is being constructed on Rabnabad channel at Kalapara in Patuakhali district to reduce the pressure on Chittagong port.
Matarbari Coal Power Plant Construction Project
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The government has taken a master plan to build a power hub at Matarbari in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar district. Therefore, not only the power plant, the whole area will be developed as a modern industrial area. The construction of this power plant is expected to be completed by December 2023. The project is being constructed on 1,414 acres of land in Matarbari and Dhalghata Union.
The coal-fired power plant will be built using ultra super critical technology. Under the project, two steam turbines with a capacity of 600 MW, circulating cooling water station, 265 m high chimney and water purification system will be installed. A 6 km naval channel will be constructed in the river for importing coal. Besides, jetty will be constructed for loading and unloading of coal.
In August 2015, the government approved a project worth Tk 36,000 crore to build a power plant at Matarbari. Japan International Development Agency (JICA) will provide Rs 29,000 crore for the project. The remaining Tk 5,000 crore will be provided from the government's own funds. The remaining funds will be provided by the project implementer and proprietor Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL). The total progress of the project is 70.80 percent. In the meantime, the total cost under the project has been 16 thousand 574 crore. However, coal-fired power plants are being blamed for climate change. As a result, the government is moving away from coal-fired power plants. Therefore, new funds are not being allocated for the construction of coal based power plants.