Archive

          Bangladesh road network that needs a maintenance cost worth nearly Tk 14 billion a year is now facing a deficit of about Tk 5.0 billion.
The government with the support from foreign donors is spending around Tk 8.65 billion on road maintenance in the current fiscal year.
Experts disclosed this at the launching ceremony of the Road Fund Advisory Committee (RFAC) at the National Press Club Tuesday morning.
They feared that the country's entire road network would collapse within the next 20 years if necessary steps for its maintenance are not taken.
They said that the RFAC would act as a supervisory body in the maintenance stages.
"The board of RFAC will work out a rational programme for road maintenance every year based on a proper needs assessment. It will also estimate the requirement of fund, " an official said
He also said that it would also seek required approval from the ministry concerned on appropriate rate of levies for users of road.
Chairperson of the RFAC Selima Ahmed said at the press conference that the body would help minimise corrupt practices in road maintenance to a large extent.
The experts said that RFAC would be fully functional within a year or two as it required necessary cabinet approval and vetting to give it a legal shape.
They also claimed that carrying out of an extensive road maintenance work across the country would minimise transport cost and ensure smooth travelling.
RFAC adviser Sion Haworth presented an overview on road maintenance. Programme Director of the centre for policy dialogue (CPD) M Rahmatullah, RFAC Executive Director M Shawkat Ali Khan also attended the news conference.