Economic and Environmental

impacts of current mega projects in

Bangladesh
Mega projects in Bangladesh

Contribution to the literature:

• Research study investigated potential
effects of Economic and environmental
impacts of current mega projects in
Bangladesh.
• The study highlights Economic and
environmental impacts as an intervention
measure to current mega projects in
Bangladesh.
• The study highlights how mega projects
in Bangladesh likely to affect national
Economic and environmental year.
Methodology
• Review of related records on policy, legal, and administrative framework, with a focus on
environmental aspects and effluent discharge limits, health and safety standards, protected areas and
endangered species recognition, land use, and so on.
• Conducting an environmental baseline survey that includes areas within and 2 kilometers of the
project site, i.e. Area for research.
• Determination of major project operations, both during the construction and operating phases.
• Identifying and predicting the environmental impacts of project operations on the environment,
including the combined effects of the proposed power plant and current and ongoing
projects/industries on selected environmental attributes.
• Identification of the most important environmental and social effects, as well as mitigation
recommendations to minimize or eliminate negative impacts while enhancing positive outcomes.
• Organizing public consultation sessions to communicate with those who might be affected.
• Creation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project's construction and operating
phases.
Potential Environmental Impacts
Air pollution: As construction work progresses, construction equipment and transportation vehicles
will emit SOx, NOx, smoke, and soot, and earth, sand, and dust particles will be dispersed. This might
pollute the climate.
Water Pollution: Contamination will occur as a result of rainfall, effluent from equipment washing,
sewage, and sanitary wastewater produced during the work. River water and underground water can
be polluted if these are not properly treated. This might pollute the river.
Solid Waste: Metal chips, waste plastic, wood shavings, waste glass, and waste oil are examples of
solid waste produced during construction. Cans, bottles, and food scraps are among the household
solid waste discarded from the workers' camping grounds.
Noise and vibration: Construction equipment and transportation vehicles can produce noise as the
project progresses. To minimize the noise effect, careful consideration must be given.
Underground water: The reduction in underground water level caused by underground water intake
during construction work can have an effect on nearby wells.
Soil erosion: During heavy rains, earth and sand, as well as muddy water, will flow into the
surrounding area as excavation work progresses. The unloading yard will be constructed along the
riverbank, and soil and sand will flow out during rainstorms.
Mega projects transforming Bangladesh
economy
Padma Multipurpose Bridge: The 6.1 km double-deck bridge, a $3.65
billion self-funded project by the Bangladesh government, is scheduled
to open for traffic in 2022, linking the country's southern and eastern
regions. The bridge's construction is expected to have a significant
impact on the region's economy, enhancing the lives of millions of
people on both sides of the river.
Matarbari Deep Sea Port: Bangladesh exports nearly $40 billion in
goods and imports nearly $60 billion in goods, the bulk of which is
transported by sea. Bangladesh decided to construct the first deep-sea
port. Matarbari deep seaport will have a 16-metre water draft.
Mega projects transforming Bangladesh
economy
Payra Deep Sea Port: The port's overall expense is expected to be between 11 and
15 billion dollars. Once the deep-sea port is completed, neighboring India, Nepal,
and Bhutan will be able to use it, while the domestic economy will benefit from
faster export and import operations. By 2023, the port will be fully operational.
Dhaka Metrorail Project: Dhaka Metro is expected to serve more than 60,000
passengers per hour, with average wait times of 4 minutes. It would be possible to
navigate the entire route in less than 40 minutes.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be
a 2.4 GW nuclear power plant. It will be the country's first nuclear power plant,
with the first unit expected to be operational in 2022 and the second unit in 2023.
Bangladesh Economy
Conclusions

For a country like Bangladesh,

infrastructure-megaprojects
are crucial drivers for
accelerating economic
growth. The country has a
higher GDP growth rate than
other neighboring countries
like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
and Bhutan.