RFP submission deadline extended 

CHATTOGRAM, June 3: The deadline for submission of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for appointing a consultant for the long-awaited Kalurghat rail-cum-road bridge over the Karnaphuli River has been extended to June 10.

This information was confirmed by Project Director Engineer Abul Kalam Chowdhury  on Tuesday. The extension follows earlier schedule adjustments agreed by the Export-Import Bank of Korea. 

The RFP deadline was initially set for May 17, later extended to June 3 on requests from shortlisted international bidders, he added.

The Tk 11,560.77 crore (about $1.24 billion) project is being jointly financed by the Government of Bangladesh and South Korean agencies, including the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF). 

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on October 7 last year. The foundation stone was laid on May 17.

The project includes a 700-metre rail-cum-road bridge, 6.2 kilometres of viaduct, 2.4 kilometres of road viaduct, 4.54 kilometres of embankments, and 11.44 kilometres of railway track, along with associated works. 

Officials said the appointment of a contractor is expected to be finalised within this month.