Project Name Bangladesh-Dhaka Urban Transport (@+)... Project Region South Asia Sector Transportation, Urban Transport Project ID BDPA9524 Borrower Government of Bangladesh (GOB) Implementing Agency Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Allenbury, Old Airport Road Dhaka, Bangladesh Contact: Director Tel: 880-2-315544 Date PID Update January 1999 Projected Appraisal Date June 1998 Projected Board Date January 1999 1. Project Objectives: The focus of this project would be on the most urgent policy, institutional, and infrastructure issues requiring immediate attention, in addition to setting out an agreed long-term strategy for future development for urban transport in Dhaka. The transport problems facing Dhaka are multifaceted that makes the project implementation difficult. It is important, therefore, to develop a phased approach and focus only on a limited number of objectives in this project to minimize implementation risks. The key project objectives would be to: (a) reduce congestion and delays in the transport network in Dhaka city; (b) help develop a public transport system with leading role for efficient private-sector-run bus systems, and retaining a positive role for the cycle-rickshaws; (c) strengthen institutional, policy and regulatory framework; (d) prepare long-term urban transport plan to cope with future growth of the city in coordination with future land-use planning for the capital area; and (e) improve road safety and environment. Since some environmental issues are national in scope and can be best addressed through a national environmental project, this project would confine itself to local environmental issues and focus on developing a phased action program. tc \l 1 " The focus of this project would be on the most urgent policy, institutional, and infrastructure issues requiring immediate attention, in addition to setting out an agreed long-term strategy for future development for urban transport in Dhaka. The transport problems facing Dhaka are multifaceted, and this project is being initiated in a very difficult environment. It is important therefore to develop a phased approach and focus only a limited number of objectives in this project to minimize implementation risks. The key project objectives would be to\: (a) reduce congestion and delays on the transport network in Dhaka city; (b) develop an integrated transport system to address the needs of the city population, including the (special ???) needs of women and the urban poor; (c) help develop a public transport system with leading role for efficient private-sector-run bus systems and retaining a positive role for the cycle-rickshaws; (d) strengthen institutional, policy and regulatory framework; (e) prepare long-term urban transport plan to cope with future growth of the city; and (f) improve road safety and environment. Since environmental issues are national in scope and can be best addressed through a national environmental project, this project would confine itself to local environmental issues, and would focus on developing a phased action program." 2. Project Description: PRIVATE The project components, subject to establishing economic viability, would tentatively consist of: (a) support for capacity building, including necessary technical assistance, for addressing institutional policy and regulatory framework, enhancing private sector role, increasing implementation capacity and developing an environmental improvement action plan; (b) support measures for improving public transport system with focus on efficient private sector-run-bus systems, and a positive role for the continued use of non-motorized cycle-rickshaws on a sustainable basis; (c) training for transport agencies and others, including public education on road safety; (d) civil works, materials, equipment, and project support for managing traffic better, improving road rehabilitation and maintenance, constructing junction overpasses, and improving facilities for buses (bus-only lanes), non-motorized modes (junction improvements, special lanes) and pedestrians (sidewalks, pedestrian over-bridges); and (e) preparation of long- term urban-transport plan for the capital area. In all components, there would be a close involvement of NGOs and community participation in selection design and monitoring of subprojects. In view of the complexity and dynamic nature of the problems, the project would allow for flexibility to build on experience during project progress. 3. Project Preparation and Implementation: The project preparation has been completed satisfactorily, with strong support from different public and private agencies, the media and the public. It is expected to go to IDA Board in January 1999. In view of the multiplicity of agencies and organizations involved in the transport sector in Dhaka, project preparation coordination and management was undertaken by a specially constituted Project Preparation Unit (PPU) under the Ministry of Communications (MOC). This PPU has been converted into a Project Coordination Unit (PCU) under the newly established Greater Dhaka Transport Planning and Coordination Board (GDTPCB); the overall project oversight and coordination during implementation will be undertaken by the PCU. Numerous studies were conducted and several advance actions were initiated to ensure speedy and effective project preparations. There have been several key areas where notable progress has been made during the past few months. Among the are (a) deregulation of fares on premium bus services and other incentives, encouraging private sector greater participation in the provision of improved bus services; (b) introduction of special bus routes on a pilot basis which have become a great success with the public subsequently. The Government has also committed to extending special bus lanes to other major corridors in the city; (c) setting up a Public Consultative Group (PCG) with the Mayor of Dhaka city as the Chairman, and members from the private sector, media, beneficiary groups and other stakeholders, to discuss project- design and issues; which assisted project design considerably; (d) completion of major advance implementation actions such as setting up the new coordination body GDTPCB, appointing project supervision and monitoring consultants and setting up project implementation units, all before IDA Board date. 4. Project Financing: The total project cost is tentatively estimated at US$ 234.2 million, to be shared between the GOB and IDA. Of this, the IDA contribution will be US $177 million. 5. Environmental Aspects: In view of the significant positive environmental impact the project was assigned an Environmental Assessment Category of B. The project is expected to bring notable improvements to air quality, which is currently very poor in Dhaka city. Besides, it will also reduce congestion, road accident rates, and travel time, thus bringing about a qualitative change in urban life, in this megacity of more than 8 million people. Contact Point: The InfoShop The World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone No. (202)458 5454 Fax No. (202) 522 1500 Thampil Pankaj, TM Tel: (202) 473-4567 Fax: (202) 477-5520 Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain activities and/or components may not be included in the final project. Processed by the InfoShop week ending January 15, 1999. Annex Because this is a Category B project, it may be required that the borrower prepare a separate EA report. If a separate EA report is required, once it is prepared and submitted to the Bank, in accordance with OP 4.01, Environmental Assessment, it will be filed as an annex to the Public Information Document (PID) . If no separate EA report is required, the PID will not contain an EA annex; the findings and recommendations of the EA will be reflected in the body of the PID.