DHAKA, Aug 12, 2020 (BSS) – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a proposal for appointing a service provider on G to G basis for ensuring maintenance and collection of toll of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project.
The approval came from the 12th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs held today. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal chaired the meeting while other ministers concerned attended the meeting virtually.
Briefing the reporters after the meeting virtually, Kamal said Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC), which is entrusted with toll management at almost the whole in Korea, are fully equipped and have vast experience and knowledge.
“We believe, when they (KEC) are awarded with the task (for Padma Bridge), it will be a turning point in the history of Bangladesh in toll management. This proposal has been given approval in overall consideration and in national interest,” he said.
The Finance Minister said although people all over the world need to pay toll in their daily movements, but Bangladesh is yet to make full automation of its toll management as the most of it still runs on manually. “But, we’re looking forward to make full automation of the toll management at Padma Bridge,”
He said the day’s meeting also gave approval to a proposal to conduct the works under the project on Arial Khan River bank protection and dredging under Shibchar upazila in Madaripur district subject to fulfillment of some conditions.
Kamal said the condition is that the executing agency would not raise the project price and cost and thus would not send it to the ECNEC for further revision.