Amtali-Kuakata road plan gathering dust

The Tk 50 crore Danida assisted project is awaiting approval for about 10 months. The donors now say funds may not be released if the project is not approved by June 30, according to sources.

The Patuakhali-Kuakata road development project, involving Tk 126 crore, was taken up considering prospects of tourism in Kuakata and fish farming in the areas nearby. There is bright prospect of private sector fish hatcheries in the area, and many prospective investors have shown interest following the road development plan.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The 30 kilometre road from Patuakhali to Amtali has been reconstructed at a cost of Tk 44 crore, provided by Danida.

After completion of Patuakhali-Amtoli portion of the road, Danida submitted a project in August last year for re-construction of the 25 km Amtali-Kalapara portion of the road.

But files on the project are still being shuttled among government departments, sources in Roads and Highways Department (R&H) here said.

They said the project proposal was sent to the communications ministry, with a note for approval. The ministry sent it to the Cabinet Committee on Purchase, which returned it to the ministry, seeking comments from the ERD and IMED as it involved foreign assistance. The ministry then sent it to ERD and then to IMED.

The ministry had assured the R& H department that the project would be approved by December last year, sources said while talking to this correspondent recently.

Meanwhile, the donors also gave letters to the ERD and the ministry to hasten the approval. Finally, a letter from the ERD reached the donors that the project would be approved by June 1 this year.

On June 13, the donors at a meeting told consultants that they would not release the fund if the project is not approved by June 30.

Sources in the R&H said they do not know why the approval is being delayed. The project will become uncertain if the approval is not given by June 30.

They said construction of three bridges on the road has been planned with local resources in view of assurance of development of the Patuakhali Kuakata road. This will establish direct road link between tourist spot Kuakata and Patuakhali.

Seeing the prospect of good communication, many investors have come up with plans for fishery and tourism projects in Kuakata, they said.