Tk115.73cr project to introduce smart bridge monitoring, maintenance

The government has undertaken a Tk115.73 crore technical assistance project to introduce advanced bridge health monitoring technology and strengthen the maintenance and safety of bridges under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

Of the total cost, Tk7.76 crore will come from the government, while Tk107.97 crore ($8.85 million) will be provided as a grant by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica).

The Road Transport and Highways Division will sponsor the project, which will be implemented by the RHD by December 2029.

Titled "Capacity Development for Smart Maintenance Technology of Bridges under Roads and Highways Department in Bangladesh," the project aims to ensure the structural safety and durability of bridges through an advanced Bridge Health Monitoring System and enable timely, cost-effective maintenance.

Under the project, detailed structural inspections will be conducted on three bridges to prepare repair and rehabilitation designs. The bridges are Kamar Khali Bridge on the Daulatdia-Faridpur (Goalchamot)-Magura-Jhenaidah-Jashore-Khulna-Mongla National Highway (N-7), Demra Bridge on the Tarabo-Demra Road and Tora Bridge on the Dhaka (Mirpur)-Uthuli-Paturia-Natakhola-Kashinathpur-Bogura-Rangpur-Beldanga-Banglabandha National Highway (N-5).

Repair and rehabilitation works on the three bridges will also be carried out on a pilot basis.

In addition, a Structural Health Monitoring System will be installed on Madhumati Bridge, Kalna Bridge and Demra Bridge as a pilot initiative.

The project also includes establishing an Integrated Bridge Maintenance Centre at the RHD to support coordinated and smart bridge management.

The smart monitoring technology is expected to detect structural problems at an early stage, allowing timely maintenance and helping extend bridges' service lives.

The project was initially proposed to the Planning Commission at Tk107.97 crore, fully financed by Koica, for implementation from January 2025 to December 2028.

Following observations by the Planning Commission and recommendations from a Special Project Evaluation Committee meeting, the proposal was restructured. The total cost was raised to Tk115.73 crore, with Tk7.76 crore in government funding and Tk107.97 crore in Koica grant assistance. The implementation period was also revised to July 2026-December 2029.

According to the project proposal, the initiative is also expected to support the government's goal of establishing an integrated and smart road transport management framework to improve discipline, safety and efficiency, as outlined in the third chapter of the Election Manifesto 2026.

The Economic Relations Division has already given its consent to the Koica grant.