Japan to invest USD 8.38b to reform BD's transport system

Dhaka: Japan will invest USD 8.38 billion, equivalent to BDT 71,000 crore, through public-private partnerships to implement five transport projects in Bangladesh. The matter was discussed on February 23 at the fourth meeting of the Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform.
About USD 2,70 billion of the amount will be spent on the construction of the south side of the outer ring road around the capital.
Two Japanese investors are also willing to construct two multimodal transport hubs centring on Kamlapur and airport railway stations at a cost of USD 515 million.
The Metro Rail Line-2 from Gabtoli to Chattogram Road in Narayanganj via Bosila, Jigatola, New Market, Palashi, Motijheel, Kamalapur and Demra will get USD 3.47 billion investment.
Officials of the PPP Authority (PPPA) Bangladesh said a decision had already been made on the investments through government-to-government arrangements. However, the actual expenditure of the projects could not be estimated without feasibility studies, they added. 
The meeting was intended to expedite the procedures, including feasibility studies and the preliminary designs, prior to the start of the construction.
Under a PPP, Chattogram to Cox's Bazar Highway will be upgraded, which has been estimated to cost USD 1.69 billion.
The Bangladesh government also wants to upgrade the Savar-Paturia road for the construction of a second Padma bridge, with support from Japan, according to the PPP authority. A proposal on this was placed in the meeting.
Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation has proposed to manage and maintain the third terminal of Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which is undergoing construction. The meeting discussed the matter as well.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Ahmad Kaikaus led the Bangladeshi side while a vice minister headed the Japanese side.