32km Cox’s Bazar- Teknaf Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

[Black_cats]

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

INFRASTRUCTURE
Jahidul Islam
29 August, 2021, 09:45 am
Last modified: 29 August, 2021, 10:59 am

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

www.tbsnews.net

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

The government is going to develop the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive by increasing the width of a 32km stretch from 3.7m to 7.3m, an effort to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and agro investments.

Besides, new bridges will be constructed on the road and its various defects will be repaired.
Running through the world's longest beach on one side and green hills on the other, the Marine Drive is playing a vital role in the local economy, including the tourism and agriculture sectors.
However, various defects in the 80km road have been causing traffic congestions and accidents since its inauguration.

It is also at risk of severe damage due to natural calamities, including sea erosion.
The Road Transport and Highways Division has already sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for a Tk1,021.61 crore project titled "Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road Widening" to develop a 32km stretch of the road in the first phase.

But the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the commission at a recent meeting recommended revising the proposal.

The PEC meeting chaired by Mamun Al Rashid, a member of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, reviewed the allocations for various sectors, including foreign tour, road survey, consultant recruitment, land filling, geotextile, etc.

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Bilal9]

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

INFRASTRUCTURE
Jahidul Islam
29 August, 2021, 09:45 am
Last modified: 29 August, 2021, 10:59 am

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

www.tbsnews.net

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

The government is going to develop the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive by increasing the width of a 32km stretch from 3.7m to 7.3m, an effort to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and agro investments.

Besides, new bridges will be constructed on the road and its various defects will be repaired.
Running through the world's longest beach on one side and green hills on the other, the Marine Drive is playing a vital role in the local economy, including the tourism and agriculture sectors.
However, various defects in the 80km road have been causing traffic congestions and accidents since its inauguration.

It is also at risk of severe damage due to natural calamities, including sea erosion.
The Road Transport and Highways Division has already sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for a Tk1,021.61 crore project titled "Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road Widening" to develop a 32km stretch of the road in the first phase.

But the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the commission at a recent meeting recommended revising the proposal.

The PEC meeting chaired by Mamun Al Rashid, a member of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, reviewed the allocations for various sectors, including foreign tour, road survey, consultant recruitment, land filling, geotextile, etc.

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

www.tbsnews.net

This is laughable. They are expanding a one lane road to two lanes. And issuing big notices on media about what a great job they're doing.

Tk. 1000 crore for 32 KM, world's most expensive road. Pathetic!!

At least they should expand the road to a four lane road, instead of lining their pockets. Same cost almost. And this road is the most scenic beach drive in all of Bangladesh....it deserves it.

But if they do that, how will they line their pockets again, in another five years? Itor scum!!

Can Pakistani and Indian brothers comment on per km construction cost in their countries?

 

[FuturePAF]

This is laughable. They are expanding a one lane road to two lanes. And issuing big notices on media about what a great job they're doing.

Tk. 1000 crore for 32 KM, world's most expensive road. Pathetic!!

At least they should expand the road to a four lane road, instead of lining their pockets. Same cost almost. And this road is the most scenic beach drive in all of Bangladesh....it deserves it.

But if they do that, how will they line their pockets again, in another five years? Itor scum!!

Can Pakistani and Indian brothers comment on per km construction cost in their countries?

If they are serious about tourism, they should make sure tourism infrastructure is modernized along the route and it is prominently featured in movies and foreign advertisements. If Thailand can attract tourists to its beaches, why not Bangladesh.

agreed, it should be at least a four lane highway.

 

[RangeMaster]

Can Pakistani and Indian brothers comment on per km construction cost in their countries?

Cost of recent conversion of 2 lane highway to 4 lane expressway in Lodhran, Pakistan was 29 crore per km or 14 crore taka per km.

Dualization of Khanewal-Lodhran Expressway completed with Rs27b

ISLAMABAD: The dualization of Khanewal Lodhran Express way has been completed with cost of twenty seven billion rupees and is ready for all kinds of traffic now. Chief

timesofislamabad.com

 

[bluesky]

Cost of recent conversion of 2 lane highway to 4 lane expressway in Lodhran, Pakistan was 29 crore per km or 14 crore taka per km.

Dualization of Khanewal-Lodhran Expressway completed with Rs27b

ISLAMABAD: The dualization of Khanewal Lodhran Express way has been completed with cost of twenty seven billion rupees and is ready for all kinds of traffic now. Chief

timesofislamabad.com

Coxes Bazaar to Teknaf area is not flood-prone and additional soil is available in nearby hills. So, conditions are almost same as it is in Pakistan.

However, the cost is about 30 Crore Taka per km. for this road. No, my bad. I rechecked the photograph you sent and I found it to be four-lane. Ours is a two-lane road after expansion. So, more than 60% of the money will be stolen and shared by a top few people.

Hasina's son Joy Kumar must be very happy with the outcome.

 

[UKBengali]

Yes there is a little corruption going on here but it is not a simple case to compare with Pakistan here.

BD tends to be more densely populated and is a more riverine country and so the cost of infrastructure is higher as you need to build more bridges for a similar length of road.

Better to look at the cost per capita of usage and that will come out quite similar.

 

[Bilal9]

Cost of recent conversion of 2 lane highway to 4 lane expressway in Lodhran, Pakistan was 29 crore per km or 14 crore taka per km.

Dualization of Khanewal-Lodhran Expressway completed with Rs27b

ISLAMABAD: The dualization of Khanewal Lodhran Express way has been completed with cost of twenty seven billion rupees and is ready for all kinds of traffic now. Chief

timesofislamabad.com

Many, many Thanks brother for the info.

Cost is double in Bangladesh. 14X32 KM = 448 crore should be around there, How it gets to 1000 crore I have no idea. Of course Hasina muzzled the press so no one can say anything.

I am sure the extra money is going to Awami League people's pockets.

They are looting the country blind.

If Pakistan can build a world class road for half the cost (I'm sure there is some graft in Pakistan too) why can't we ?

I am damn sure cost is even lower in India, but they cut corners, depending on location.

 

[Bilal9]

Yes there is a little corruption going on here but it is not a simple case to compare with Pakistan here.

BD tends to be more densely populated and is a more riverine country and so the cost of infrastructure is higher as you need to build more bridges for a similar length of road.

Better to look at the cost per capita of usage and that will come out quite similar.

@UKBengali bhai maybe you choose not to see the elephant in the room.

It can't be that high. And there is graft in Pakistan too.

The level of "Pukur-Churi" (stealing lakes) in Bangladesh is evident right here.

 

[UKBengali]

@UKBengali bhai maybe you choose not to see the elephant in the room.

It can't be that high. And there is graft in Pakistan too.

The level of "Pukur-Churi" (stealing lakes) in Bangladesh is evident right here.

We cannot compare the cost of building a mainly straight expressway in Pakistan with that of a winding coastal marine way in BD with lots more bridges to boot.

I am not denying there is no graft in BD but to suggest it is much higher than in Pakistan is incorrect.

 

[Bilal9]

We cannot compare the cost of building a mainly straight expressway in Pakistan with that of a winding coastal marine way in BD with lots more bridges to boot.

I am not denying there is no graft in BD but to suggest it is much higher than in Pakistan is incorrect.

Straight or winding - cost of constructing a road is the same. And number of bridges (small culverts, really) are not overly high, not more than say half a dozen if that.

And this is a two-lane road, not four lane like in Pakistan. Why not give the contract to Pakistan Govt.? if they can do it at half the cost, then why not? I don't know if they will be interested though...

I have to agree with @bluesky bhai here, amount of corruption in Bangladesh is sky high, even Indians admit it. And they are Mitroon Desh.

Probably highest corruption in all of Asia.

Thanks to Awami League and Hasina.

Great Job.

Bank directors and CEO's running away to Canada with hundreds of crores - and paying off a portion to AL stalwarts.

Harir Loot!

 

[Indos]

Yes there is a little corruption going on here but it is not a simple case to compare with Pakistan here.

BD tends to be more densely populated and is a more riverine country and so the cost of infrastructure is higher as you need to build more bridges for a similar length of road.

Better to look at the cost per capita of usage and that will come out quite similar.

Look like what you ever do here is to keep defending your government....??? Defending BD as nation is OK as you are Bangladeshi, but if our government make something wrong or not doing right, we need to criticize them......

 

[UKBengali]

Straight or winding - cost of constructing a road is the same. And number of bridges (small culverts, really) are not overly high, not more than say half a dozen if that.

And this is a two-lane road, not four lane like in Pakistan. Why not give the contract to Pakistan Govt.? if they can do it at half the cost, then why not? I don't know if they will be interested though...

I have to agree with @bluesky bhai here, amount of corruption in Bangladesh is sky high, even Indians admit it. And they are Mitroon Desh.

Probably highest corruption in all of Asia.

Thanks to Awami League and Hasina.

Great Job.

Bank directors and CEO's running away to Canada with hundreds of crores - and paying off a portion to AL stalwarts.

Harir Loot!

Who told you that?

A straight road is cheaper to build than a winding one.

You do not need to be a civil engineer to work that one out as a winding road needs more complexity to build than a straight one. There are all sorts of complexity with a marine way that a straight road does not have.

For those who keep insisting that massive graft is happening(much more than other regional countries) this is difficult if you are loaning most of the money from sources such as ADB, JICA etc as they audit how their money is being spent.

Cost of infrastructure in BD is expensive due to its population density and terrain that most of the subcontinent does not share.

 

[Bilal9]

This is how it exists now, they spent 456 crore for 80 km last time for Coxs-Bazar to Teknaf section.

Prime Minister inaugurates Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive

PM inaugurates Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive

www.daily-sun.com

The place is really nice, reminds me of Maui in Hawaii...with the hills in the background.

Who told you that?

A straight road is cheaper to build than a winding one.

You do not need to be a civil engineer to work that one out as a winding road needs more complexity to build than a straight one. There are all sorts of complexity with a marine way that a straight road does not have.

For those who keep insisting that massive graft is happening(much more than other regional countries) this is difficult if you are loaning most of the money from sources such as ADB, JICA etc as they audit how their money is being spent.

Cost of infrastructure in BD is expensive due to its population density and terrain that most of the subcontinent does not share.

Well I'm no civil engineer, but let's hear from them.

Maybe you can tell me about the "complexity to build (rather) than a straight one". I honestly want to know how this can cost more.

@bluesky bhai your thoughts....are super-elevated curves that necessary in this small a road? Would it cost more?

I don't see super-elevation in any of the bends here in the Coxs-Bazar to Teknaf section images above as it currently exists.

Super elevation is only needed on highways where speeds exceed say 100 KM or above.

Besides super elevation, there is no other "complexity" in building a curved section of a road, and it does not apply here.

 

[UKBengali]

This is how it exists now, they spent 456 crore for 80 km last time for Coxs-Bazar to Teknaf section.

Prime Minister inaugurates Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive

PM inaugurates Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive

www.daily-sun.com

The place is really nice, reminds me of Maui in Hawaii...with the hills in the background.


Well I'm no civil engineer, but let's hear from them.

Maybe you can tell me about the "complexity to build (rather) than a straight one". I honestly want to know how this can cost more.

@bluesky bhai your thoughts....are super-elevated curves that necessary in this small a road? Would it cost more?

I don't see super-elevation in any of the bends here in the Coxs-Bazar to Teknaf section images above as it currently exists.

We need to try to answer this simple question:

Would ADB really lend at least twice the amount for roads such as Sylhet-Dhaka 4 lane expansion than is necessary?

The cost here is actually cheaper per km than that road project, although that one is from 2 lanes to 4 lanes.

Yes there is graft but to suggest that it is massively more so than in Pakistan is not borne by facts. If BD was so corrupt then it’s economy would be a total basket case and far behind the rest of the region. The reality is that BD economy is now the strongest in the region and not the weakest.

 

[EasyNow]

Of course there is graft in BD. This project wouldn't move if the right people, at every level, didn't benefit personally.

However, as far as I can see almost half the budget is for land acquisition. 523 crore for 123 acres of land. Over 4 crores per acre? Is that realistic? I suppose it is waterfront property.

It's hard to quantify if the graft is better or worse than other cases - id be interested to see who the main landowners being bought out are - if it's hundreds of smaller parties I will have more faith than if it belongs to a small clique.


"The project proposal has asked for an allocation of Tk523 crore for acquiring 123 acres of land.

It has also asked for Tk28.75 crore for land filling, Tk9.65 crore for different road-related services, Tk28.35 crore for geotextile, Tk58 crore for retaining walls, and Tk64.80 crore for tetrapods."

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

www.tbsnews.net