Project director Muhammad Hafizur Rahman said the project was extended for another two years as it could not be completed within the June 2022 deadline. On 14 February, the Bangladesh Planning Commission extended the project till June 2024.
Hafeezur blamed the company responsible for the landfilling for the delay.
Narayanganj Dockyard was given the work order for land filling in April 2021 after takeover but only 60 per cent work was done by June 2022, by which time the project was scheduled to be implemented.
“We started the land development in 2021 and it was difficult to complete it in a year. We ran out of money in the middle of the project. The culvert, ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant), and boundary wall could not be constructed. However, 80 per cent of the soil has been filled by this month. We expect to hand over the plot by July 2024,” said the project director.
Though the duration of the project has been extended, the estimated cost has been brought down to Rs 14.54 billion as the authorities have decided to set up multiple ETPs instead of one central one, he said.
more time for relocation
Traders have reminded that it will take more time to shift warehouses and factories to the project site after its completion and they doubt whether the authorities can meet the new deadline.
Matiur Rahman, owner of Lucky Corporation on Armenian Street, said he moved most of his warehouses to Abdullapur, on the other side of the Turag River, from where he delivers products.
Speaking about the project in Munshiganj, he said: “The authorities will fill the land, build roads and buildings. It will take at least 10 more years to do so.”