Reading time: 6 minutes, Category: Finance & Economics
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Mega Projects Bangladesh ability to attract and invest capital into its developing infrastructure needs has significantly increased post COVID with investors abroad now looking at the country as a place with strong investment potential. The country is strategically located between the groups of ASEAN and SAARC signatories whilst also providing a lucrative land bridge to China via the Himalayas. These crucial factors make it especially attractive to foreign investment as it positions the country as an Asian hub with cross border trade to over 3 billion participants.
mega projects bangladesh Similarly, Bangladesh has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to borrow and repay large scale infrastructure loans in a timely manner thus enhancing its identity as a credit worthy nation. Furthermore, the last five years has seen an increase in those classed as middle income further advancing its attractiveness amongst its neighbours.
This attractiveness can all be attributed to a more progressive governmental approach towards restructuring and an advanced outlook with an economic roadmap. One such aspect is its development of key infrastructure projects referred to as the Bangladesh Mega Projects. This article brought to you by BestBari will cover each of these projects that will contribute to the overall health of the economy and spur further growth.
1. Padma Bridge
Length 6.15km
Cost $3.6 Billion USD
The Padma Multipurpose Bridge is a two-level rail-road bridge spanning the Padma river which is one of the main channels of the Ganges. The bridge will connect the districts of Louhajang, Zazira and Shariatpur essentially linking the underdeveloped southwest of the country to the more developed north and eastern districts.
The bridge is deemed one of the most challenging construction projects in Bangladesh’s history. The dual level teel truss bridge will carry a four-lane highway whilst also supporting a single-track railway on the lower deck whilst spanning 6.16km, giving it the title of the longest bridge to cross the Ganges. The construction was deemed one of the most challenging projects due to the Padma rivers relentless ferocious undercurrents and monsoonal tides requiring pilings at a depth of 127metres into the bedrock. The bridge is expected to contribute to the economy by approximately 1.2- 2%.
Padma bridge, the largest to span the mother Ganga at 6.15km in length
2. Padma Rail link project
Length 215km
Cost $4.6 Billion USD
The rail project will increase accessibility between the cities of Dhaka and the less developed south western and central regions of the country. This alternate route afforded by the project will allow for a route 212km shorter than the existing rail line that currently services the Dhaja, Jessore and Khulna lines. Furthermore, there are no speed or load restrictions and the track facilitates the differences between the national and regional rail gauges thus improving the travel time increasing efficiency for cross country container and cargo rail services. Construction will also permit future expansion to connect the city of Barisal and importantly the port located at Payra.
The new link will become a vital railway corridor in terms of national as well as regional railway traffic demand.
3. Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Cost $12.6 Billion USD
Power generated 2400 MW
The nuclear power plant, the first of its kind for Bangladesh developed with Russian oversight is expected to produce 2.4GW and is to be built in Rooppur on the banks of the Padma river about 140km west of Dhaka. The construction phase will see about 12,500 new jobs locally and is expected to generate 19 billion kWh annually which amounts to 15% of the country’s electricity needs. Completion of this build enhances its strategic goal of leveraging the middle-income nation with a focus on the intersection of science and technology that this project brings.
Importantly, the power plant places a pivotal role in decreasing both the unit cost of electricity production and the dependence of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal for power generation. This further will protect the countries natural resources by reducing pollution associated with fossil fuels and assist with stabilising and enhancing energy security.
The Rooppur nuclear power plant will produce 15% of Bangladesh’s annual electricity needs.
4. Dhaka Metro Rail Link
Cost $2.82 Billion USD
Length 20.1Km
The Dhaka Metro is a state-of-the-art mass rapid transit system being constructed in Dhaka. Combined with the light rapid transit system (LRT) will serve to ease the extreme traffic jams and congestion that burden the countries capital which is deemed one of the heaviest in the world. Line-6 will consist of 16 above ground stations each 180metres long and supported by 20km of light rail tracks. The entire metro line and some of the light rail is elevated about the city roads and to permit unobstructed traffic flow below.
The Metro line is expected to service more over 60,000 passengers every hour with a wait time of only four minutes. The entire route can be competed in les than 40 minutes averaging a speed of 100km/h and expected to drop the number of private cars as well as eliminate their notorious seven-hour long traffic jams. The Metro will adopt magnetic ticketing and smart cards to ensure efficiency as well as platform screen doors to bolster safety. When completed, the link will support six fully air-conditioned cars every four minutes going in both directions to each of stations.
The Metro’s inaugural test run over the city of Dhaka.
5. The Rampal Power Station
Cost $5 billion USD
Power generated 1320 MW
The Rampal Power Station is a 1.32 megawatt approximately 7.5% of the countries needs and is a coal fired power station under construction in Rampal. It is being built over 1834 acres of land and as result will be the country’s largest power plant. A major driver behind this new power plant is to satisfy the needs for Bangladesh’s 157million people and enhancing the economy. Currently the country produces 8000MW however demand strongly outstrips the supply with rolling black outs and outages that can last for hours. With only 65% of people receiving electricity (excluding those who rely on solar) this critical piece of infrastructure will support the needs of the growing middle class and produce and allow the country to support an optimal level of power consumption for all people.
Construction of the Power station has been marred with controversy and delays, due to being with within 14km from the UNESCO heritage Sundarbans which is a protected mangrove area that supports a rich diversity habit for wildlife, physical coastal evolution, swamps, tidal flats, creeks and sand dunes. None the less completion of the project will be aligned with Bangladesh’s vision to transform its middle-class economy.
The Rampal power station when completed will produce 7% of the country’s entire electricity needs.
We hope you have found this article insightful about the mega projects that will turbo charge Bangladesh’s economy. If you enjoyed this guide please visit our News and Articles page, including our Dhaka Suburb Guides.
We wish you very best with your flat for sale in Dhaka. BestBari is the trusted BD property company in Bangladesh.
