The Pyra-Gopalganj-Aminbazar 400kV double-circuit transmission line project in Bangladesh has seen its costs soar by 135%, raising alarms about the impact on the state budget. Originally estimated at Tk 38.90 billion, the Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL) is now requesting Tk 91.37 billion, citing changes in project scope, particularly the extended river-crossing length and rising exchange rates. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has indicated it cannot absorb this cost increase from foreign-exchange reserves due to financial constraints. Most funding was expected to come from the Bangladesh Investment Development Fund (BIDF), created in 2021 for public development projects. The MoF is seeking a detailed justification for the inflated costs and is wary of further financial commitments amid a dwindling foreign-exchange reserve. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the project’s route, which some suggest may have been politically motivated, potentially contributing to the increased expenses.
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