Sustainable road development is an enormous challenge in the context of Bangladesh as its road system grows ever bigger and the cost of maintenanceincreases. This paper deals with the challenges Bangladesh is currently facing in sustainable road development along with measures taken to overcome them. A significant volume of prioritized road network has been completed, and role of road organizations is gradually shifting more towards maintenance to safeguard the investment in the road systems. Maintenance funding is in acute shortage. Local and external funds are being directed for maintenance. Besides, a road maintenance fund is being created for the purpose. The development fund is also in chronic scarcity and is being harnessed from local source and external aid agencies. An enabling environment hasbeen created for private sector investment in the road sector, but present levels of traffic do not enable Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) projects. Other challenges are selection of right project, implementation following proper design and quality, institutional capacity building, achieving value for money, good governance, severe frequent flooding, National PolicyReform etc. Project Appraisal Frameworks (PAF) are being introduced whichoffer a simplified multi-criteria appraisal mechanism for Bangladesh, which addresses the poverty alleviation and social development needs as well as the economic viability and ensure comparability of projects both withinand across modes. Road Assets Management System (RAMS) using Highway Development and Management Tool (HDM-4) has proven to be an effective tool in prioritizing the periodic maintenance programme and has helped executing agencies to opt for objective judgment. E-Governance is gaining increasing usage in all departments. Introduction of Central Management Systems (CMS)based on Earned Value Management to control cost, physical progress and accountability of work by computerized systems is a landmark progress in the area. Unified procurement policy and standards for all departments have been introduced in accordance with internationally agreed norms for efficiency, transparency and accountability. Policy reforms are planned by formulating National Land Transport Policy (NLTP) and Integrated Multi-Modal Transport Policy (IMTP). Considerable sustainable progress in these areas have been achieved with Government commitments and participation of the development partners in response to strong movement towards better performance, increased efficiency, public participation and improved accountability. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Samenvatting