DHAKA: Japan has shown interest in building a Railway Bridge parallel to Bangabandhu Bridge over the river Jamuna and this is why the country is not showing any interest in building a multi-purpose underwater tunnel beneath the river Jamuna.
As a reason they said that the underground tunnel will not be necessary after the construction of Railway Bridge.
However, Bangladesh, in addition to Railway Bridge, wants to construct underwater tunnel. Bangladesh is interested to implement the project from the pledged Japanese loan of US $600 million.
Ministry of foreign affairs and Economic Relations Division (ERD) sources said that though Japan has no eagerness in underwater tunnel project, the country is giving priority to Ganges barrage project after India also has shown its interest in the project.
These are likely to be discussed in the upcoming meeting of foreign secretaries of two countries, scheduled to be held on February 5 in Dhaka.
Moreover, they also will discuss all the matters contained in the joint declaration of the two Prime Ministers.
A source in the foreign ministry said that Japan is thinking on providing soft loan or ODA for a railway bridge parallel to Bangabandhu Bridge.
An ERD source said despite the lack of interest of Japan, Bangladesh would find another development partner to implement the underwater tunnel project.
On the other hand Bangladesh’s another prioritized project Ganges barrage will be financed by Japan after India showed its interest in financing in the project.
A three-member Japanese delegation, led by its deputy foreign minister, scheduled arriving Dhaka on February 5 to discuss the whole gamut of matters. Officials of Japan embassy will also attend the meeting.
Foreign secretary Md. Shahidul Haque will lead the Bangladesh side in the meeting where bilateral relations between the two countries will also be discussed.
During the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in May of 2014, Japan pledged to give US $600 million loan to Bangladesh in four to five years.
The money will be spent for Ganges barrage project, for construction of a railway bridge parallel to Bangabandhu Bridge, a multi-purpose underwater tunnel beneath the river Jamuna, and Eastern by-pass and recovery of four rivers of Dhaka.
The source also said that after the prime minister’s visit, a Japanese delegation visited Dhaka and discussed about the projects and also pointed out the necessity of India’s financing in the Ganges barrage project.
The Japanese and Bangladeshi delegations are likely to discuss about the projects in detail to reach a consensus, said a foreign ministry source.
It was learnt that Japan does not want to make any agreement on holding regular meetings about the matters of financing projects. They do not even want the continuation of visa immunities for the diplomatic passport holders. They want to keep it continue through note verbal so that they can stop the immunity facilities whenever any objection arise.
Recently, Bangladesh has sent a note verbal to Japan for visa immunity for the diplomatic passport holders. The matter of visa immunity for official passport holders is under consideration.
Source also said that Bangladesh has decided to allot lands for Japan for a special economic zone around Dhaka at the request of the country. Munsiganj area will be shown to the Japanese delegation in this regard.
They also will discuss about building a deep sea port at Maheshkhali, safe nuclear cooperation, construction of national disaster management centers, and peace building center, scholarships for the Bangladeshi students, primary energy safety and assistance in power sector, infrastructural cooperation, Bay Of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) cooperation.
BDST: 2150 HRS, JAN 30, 2015
