Bangladesh Water Development Boardstifpp-ii.synthasite.com/resources/QPR03.pdf · Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is the lead executing agency and is responsible for the

Bangladesh Water Development Board Local Government Engineering Department

Asian Development Bank

SECONDARY TOWNS INTEGRATED FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT, PHASE-II

ADB Loan No. 2117-BAN(SF)

OPEC Loan No. 1038P

Management Design Supervision Consultants

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT NO. 03

FOR

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2007

Prepared by:

International Pty. Ltd., Australia in association with : • Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, Canada

• AQUA Consultants & Associates Ltd., Bangladesh • ACE Consultants Ltd, Bangladesh, and • KRANTI Associates Ltd, Bangladesh

with contributions from:

BANGLADESH WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD (BWDB) &

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT (LGED)

Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection Project - STIFPP-II ADB [Loan No. 2117-BAN(SF)], OPEC [Loan No. 1038P] and GoB Funding Executing Agencies: BWDB & LGED

Management, Design and Supervision Consultant: SMEC and Associates

PROJECT OFFICE:

LGED Building (4th floor), 62 West Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

Telephone: 880-2- 8116742, 8115438, E-mail: [email protected]

Ref: MDS/23-10-07/A-48/406 Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Mr. Md. Abdun Noor Project Director, STIFPP-II BWDB, Dhaka Bangladesh Subject: Review of Draft Quarterly Progress Report No. 03 Dear Sir, Attached please find herewith the Draft Quarterly Progress Report No. 03. You are requested to please review the report and return it to us with your comments. As in previous Quarterly Progress Reports, you are also requested to provide us with an updated copy of the “Basic Information and Financing Status, BWDB Part” for inclusion in the report. Your prompt attention would be appreciated, so that we can finalize and distribute the Quarterly Progress Report by the end of October. Sincerely yours,

Tony Aitken Team Leader Encl.: As stated. Copy to: 1. Mr. Amzad Hossain, Project Director, STIFPP-II LGED

Please also review the report and provide “Basic Information and Financing Status, LGED Part”

2. File No. A-48

DISTRIBUTION LIST (Not according to Seniority) BWDB:

1. Director General, BWDB, Dhaka. 2. Additional Director General, O&M-1, BWDB, Dhaka. 3. Additional Director General, O&M-2, BWDB, Dhaka. 4. Additional Director General, Planning, BWDB, Dhaka. 5. Additional Director General, (Finance), BWDB, Dhaka. 6. Chief Planning, BWDB, Dhaka. 7. Chief Engineer, O&M, BWDB, Dhaka. 8. Chief Engineer, Design, BWDB, Dhaka. 9. Chief Monitoring, BWDB, Dhaka. 10. Chief Engineer, Northern Zone, BWDB, Rangpur. 11. Chief Engineer, Central Zone, BWDB, Dhaka. 12. Chief Engineer, South Eastern Zone, BWDB, Comilla. 13. Chief Engineer, South Western Zone, BWDB, Faridpur. 14. Chief Engineer, North Western Zone, BWDB, Rajshahi. 15. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Dhaka. 16. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Rajshahi. 17. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Comilla. 18. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Sylhet. 19. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Rangpur-1. 20. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Kushtia. 21. Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, BWDB, Mymensingh. 22. Executive Engineer, Rajshahi O&M Division, BWDB, Rajshahi. 23. Executive Engineer, Kushtia O&M Division, BWDB, Kushtia. 24. Executive Engineer, Gaibandha O&M Division, BWDB, Gaibandha. 25. Executive Engineer, Dhaka O&M Division-1, BWDB, Dhaka (Munshiganj & Manikganj Town): 2 copies

27. Executive Engineer, Mymensingh O&M Division, BWDB, Mymensingh.

28. Executive Engineer, Jamalpur O&M Division, BWDB, Jamalpur.

29. Executive Engineer, Comilla O&M Division, BWDB, Comilla (Brahmanbaria Town).

30. Executive Engineer, Sunamganj O&M Division, BWDB, Sunamganj.

Rajshahi City Corporation & Pourashavas:

31. Honourable Mayor, Rajshahi City Corporation (Attention: Chief Engineer, RCC). 32. Chairman Kushtia Pourshava, Kushtia. 33. Chairman Gaibandha Pourshava, Gaibandha. 34. Chairman Mymensingh Pourshava, Mymensingh. 35. Chairman Jamalpur Pourshava, Jamalpur. 36. Chairman Munshiganj Pourshava, Munshiganj. 37. Chairman Manikganj Pourshava, Manikganj. 38. Chairman Brahmanbaria Pourshava, Brahmanbaria. 39. Chairman Sunamganj Pourshava, Sunamganj.

Ministries / Planning Commission / Departments: 40. Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka (Attn.: Joint Secretary)

41. Secretary, Local Government Division, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka (Attn.: Joint Secretary) 42. Secretary, ERD, Ministry of Finance, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka (Attn.: Joint Secretary) 43. Secretary, IMED , Ministry of Planning, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka (Attn.: Director, Water Resources) 44. Joint Chief, Agricultural Wing, Planning Commission, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

LGED:

45. Chief Engineer, Local Govt. Engineering Department, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. 46. Superintending Engineer, Urban Management, LGED, Dhaka. 47. Project Director, STIFPP-II, LGED, Dhaka (2 copies).

Development Partners: 48. Country Director, BRM, ADB, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka (Attn.: Mr. Zahir Uddin Ahmad, PIO)-2 copies 50. Representative, OPEC

Figure 1 – Project Location Map

Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection II Project

Quarterly Progress Report No. 03, July – September 2007 i

ABBREVIATIONS ADB - Asian Development Bank BMD - Bangladesh Meteorology Department BWDB - Bangladesh Water Development Bank CCDB - Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh DOE - Department of Environment DPP - Development Project Performa EMP - Environmental Management Plan GOB - Government of Bangladesh ha - hectare IWM - Institute of Water Management Km - Kilometre IEE - Initial Environmental Examination IPSC - Inter-ministerial Project Steering Committee Lac - 100,000 LGED - Local Government Engineering Department MDS - Management Design Supervision (Consultant) NGO - Non-Government Organization O&M - Operation and Maintenance OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries PD - Project Director PIU - Project Implementation Units (based in the 9 Towns) PMO - Project Management Office (based in Dhaka) PMT - Project Management Team QPR - Quarterly Progress Report RAC - Regional Accounting Centre RRI - River Research Institute Tk - Bangladesh Taka (currency) UGIAP - Urban Governance Improvement Action Program


Quarterly Progress Report No. 03, July – September 2007 ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Forwarding Letter Distribution List Figure 1 - Project Location Map Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................. i Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... ii

1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Foreword .................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 The Project ................................................................................................................. 1

1.3 The Report ................................................................................................................. 2

2. TECHNICAL ............................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Foreword .................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Overview of Project Activities .................................................................................. 3

2.3 Progress of Work ....................................................................................................... 4

2.3.1 Planning Investigations ........................................................................................ 4

2.3.2 Design Activities.................................................................................................. 6

2.3.3 Tender and Contractual Procedures .................................................................... 7

2.3.4 Construction Activities .......................................................................................... 8

2.3.5 Solid Waste Management Activities ..................................................................... 9

2.3.6 Other Supportive Activities ................................................................................. 10

2.4 Problems Encountered and Suggested Remedial Measures ............................... 13

2.4.1 Increased Cost of New Revetment Works .......................................................... 13

2.4.2 Increased Land Acquisition Requirements ......................................................... 13

2.4.3 Slow Design Progress for Flood Protection Works ............................................. 13

2.4.4 Concerns with Detail Design of Drainage Works ................................................ 14

2.4.5 Progress with Solid Waste Management ............................................................ 14

2.4.6 Additional Inputs for the MDS Consultant ........................................................... 15

2.4.7 Reduction in 2007/08 Construction Program ...................................................... 15

3. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS .................................................................. 16

3.1 Forewords ................................................................................................................ 16

3.2 Mobilization of Consultant’s Team Members ........................................................ 16

3.3 Current Status of Utilization of Person-Months .................................................... 16

3.4 Establishment of Offices for Project Implementation Units (PIUs) ...................... 16

3.5 Important Meetings and Field Trips ....................................................................... 16

3.6 Town Level Meetings ............................................................................................... 17

4. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................................. 18

4.1 Statements of Expenditure for Civil Works............................................................ 18

4.2 Financial Status of PMOs ........................................................................................ 18


Quarterly Progress Report No. 03, July – September 2007 iii

Tables

Appendix-A : Work Program Details

Table A-1 : Summary of 2007/08 Work Program Works Table A-2 : Summary of 2007/08 Work Program Costs Table A-3 : Projected Expenditures based on Work Plan Table A-4 : Overall Weighted Project Progress Table A-5 : 2007/2008 Work Program Design Progress Details Table A-6 : 2007/2008 Work Program Tender Progress Details Table A-7 : 2007/2008 Work Program Construction Progress Details

Appendix-B : Administrative Details

Table B-1 : Consultant Mobilization

Table B-2 : Utilization of Consultant Person-months

Table B-3 : Consultant Field Days during the Reporting Quarter

Appendix-C : Financial Status of PMOs

Table C-1 : Basic Information and Financing Status, BWDB Part

Table C-2 : Basic Information and Financing Status, LGED Part

Appendix-D : Photos

Photo 1 : Social and Gender Meeting in Brahmanbaria

Photo 2 : Seasonal flooding along Old Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh

Photo 3 : Temporary flood protection works along Padma River in Rajshahi

Photo 4 : Proposed site of the Bangsha Khal secondary lined drain in Jamalpur

Photo 5 : ADB Mission visit to proposed Kazla primary lined drain in Rajshahi

Photo 6 : ADB Mission personnel at proposed sanitary land fill site in Rajshahi


Quarterly Progress Report No. 03, July – September 2007 P a g e 1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Foreword

The Flood Action Plan Component 9A originally identified flood problems in 15 secondary towns back in the early 1990s. The first implementation project called the Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection Project was funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and included 6 towns: Khulna, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Kurigram, Habiganj and Moulvibazar. This initial project was completed from 1994 to 2000. The current Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection Project Phase-II covers flooding and drainage in the remaining 9 towns and addresses more strongly than for the initial project, improved environmental and hygienic conditions.

1.2 The Project

Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection Project Phase-II (STIFPP-II) is funded by ADB, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is the lead executing agency and is responsible for the flood control and river bank protection works while the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) as co-executing agency is responsible for storm water drainage, solid waste management and other municipal activities. The broad objective of the project is to promote economic growth and thereby help to alleviate poverty in the nine secondary towns in Bangladesh: Kushtia, Rajshahi, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Brahmanbaria and Sunamganj (Figure 1). While the Project will benefit the entire urban community in the Towns through physical works, other aspects of the Project will focus on upgrading the living conditions of the poorest people, particularly poor women. The project comprises four components:

Component-A: Flood protection works addressing improvement and extension of flood embankments, flood walls, regulators and riverbank protection works

Component-B: Urban drainage system improvement with rehabilitation and provision of new drains and culverts to minimize internal flooding of the towns

Component-C: Urban environmental improvement providing sanitation facilities, solid waste management and slum improvement, and

Component-D: Capacity building and implementation assistance through training and consulting services support.



The contract for Consulting Services with the Management Design Supervision (MDS) Consultant was concluded on November 02, 2006. The major tasks to be carried out by the Consultant are:

Carryout all site, soil and other investigations

Prepare detailed designs and drawings for flood control and drainage works

Prepare designs of sanitation, solid waste management and sanitary landfills

Prepare tender/contract documents including detailed cost estimates

Prepare detailed implementation schedules

Monitor the supervision of construction works

Assist in land acquisition and resettlement activities

Promote social and gender development and address environmental issues

Assist in the preparation of statements of expenditure

Conduct benchmark information surveys and prepare regular evaluation reports, and

Monitor project progress and performance.

1.3 The Report

Quarterly Progress Report No. 3 covers the period July to September, 2007 and identifies major tasks undertaken during the reporting quarter, and makes projections of progress for the next quarter. Any potential constraints to project implementation are identified and possible remedial measures are suggested.



2. TECHNICAL

2.1 Foreword

Presently all project documents (two Development Project Proformas (DPPs), ADB Loan, MDS Consultant Contract, etc.) show the project completion date as 31 December 2009. Both the Ministry of Water Resources and the ADB have agreed that an extension of time is necessary and have said informally that this should be up to 31 December 2010. Accordingly, this report assumes this change will be formally agreed to at a later time. During the reporting Quarter, primarily pre-construction activities were carried out: planning investigations, design work, and tender and contractual procedures. Some limited construction works from LGED Components-B and C are expected to commence early next quarter. The work program consists of a combination of works and contract packages. A work can be defined as a distinct structural entity at a specific location and of known length, size and/or number (e.g. riverbank revetment protection along the left bank of the Padma River in Rajshahi from Chainage 13,100 – 15,600). To comply with ADB, BWDB and LGED contract stipulations, a single work can be divided into a number of tender packages. Conversely, if works are small, a number of dissimilar works may be combined into a single tender package. Design progress has been assessed on a works basis. Tendering progress has been assessed on a contract package basis, and construction progress has been assessed on a works basis, but could be assessed on an individual contract basis if required in future for clarification purposes.

2.2 Overview of Project Activities

Tables showing the type, number and total cost of works in the 2007/08 Work Program by town are presented in Tables A-1 and A-2. A total of 15 km of new riverbank revetment work worth almost Tk 14,000 Lac, and 143 km of new drainage work worth almost Tk 9,800 Lac, will be initiated in 2007/08. Table A-3 shows the projected project expenditure based on the work plan. The table includes newly revised projected expenditures required to complete the total work program formulated in the preparatory Technical Assistance Project. These expenditures have increased significantly over original figures (refer to Section 2.4.1). Table A-3 also includes the expected expenditure for the 2007/08 fiscal year based on revised targets for individual works. The expected expenditure for future fiscal years (2008/09 and 2009/10) are based on previous targets adjusted for the escalating project costs. The projected expenditure assumes that all physical works must be completed by the end of the 2009/10 fiscal year, although new costs and 2007/08 implementation projections suggest that this is increasingly unlikely. For BWDB Component-A, it is anticipated that work worth over Tk 10,000 Lac will be constructed during 2007/08, or 21% of the total required funds. For LGED Component-B and C, it is anticipated that work worth almost Tk 6,900 Lac will be constructed during 2007/08, or 35% of the total required funds (refer to Section 2.3.4). The overall weighted project progress is presented in Table A-4 and shows that the progress achieved to the end of the reporting quarter is 18%. The progress is computed by identifying a list of project activities and milestones and assigning a weighting to each which quantifies the time/effort/resources required to complete the individual tasks. The weightings were derived based on an assessment performed by the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and the Deputy Team Leader during the reporting quarter. These weightings may be reviewed and re-evaluated in future. The elapsed time from the effective starting date of the MDS



Consultant mobilization on 01 January 20071 to 31 December 2010 is 19% which compares closely to the calculated 18% progress figure. During the quarter, the primary activities performed by the MDS Consultant were engineering investigations, detailed design work and tendering procedures. For BWDB Component-A, designs for 8 of the 26 works in the 2007/08 work program have been approved by the Design Office, and 14 tender packages worth Tk 9,322 Lac have been floated. For LGED Component-B and C, designs for 12 of the 96 works in the 2007/08 work program have been approved, and to date a total of 27 tender packages worth Tk 2,427 Lac have been floated. Other important project activities have included the planning of the project’s land acquisition and resettlement arrangements, formulating monitoring and evaluation procedures, and further development of programs related to the social, gender and environmental issues of the project.

2.3 Progress of Work

2.3.1 Planning Investigations

Engineering Surveys Required engineering surveys are being completed by one independent contractor and two sub-consultants: Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) and Survey 2000. Surveys for flood protection works include cross-sections every 50 m, and 60 m wide strip maps along the alignment. Surveys for drainage works include a longitudinal profile, cross-sections every 50 m and a layout plan along the alignment. Site surveys at structure points cover an area 100 m by 100 m with spot levels at 10 m spacing. Strip maps, layout plans and site surveys contain all infrastructure (structures and permanent trees) and geographic features (khals and embankments). Engineering surveys for all major flood protection works and most of the primary drains (92%) were completed up to the end of the reporting quarter. However, prolonged flooding in Brahmanbaria has delayed final completion of the survey along the Anderson Diversion Khal. Progress of remaining drainage survey works has also been hampered due to high water levels in a number of sites, and only 4.8 km of primary drain were actually completed during the reporting quarter. Progress is expected to improve significantly during the next quarter as water levels recede. Details of the survey program, progress to date and projections for the next quarter are shown in the following table:

1 The Consultant actually mobilized on 12 November 2006. However, office accommodation was not available at that time and many team members were not immediately available. Therefore, an effective starting date of 01 January 2007 has been adopted.



Survey Program

Item of Work Total

Quantity

Cumulative Progress (%)

Reporting Quarter

Next Quarter

Component-A (BWDB)

Flood Protection Alignment 167 km 100 100

Structure Site Surveys 89 nos 100 100

Drainage Outfall Channel Surveys* 82 km 47 100

Component-B (LGED)

Primary Drains 61 km 92 100

Secondary Drains 102 km 19 36

Tertiary Drains 119 km 23 47

* These are actually being implemented as Part B works

Geotechnical Investigations Delta Soil Engineers were engaged in mid June 2007 to complete geo-technical investigations including the drilling of 402 bore-holes, installation of 18 piezometers and performing a variety of laboratory tests on 802 soil samples. The work has been split into two stages: Stage-1 investigations comprising 142 boreholes along embankments, flood walls and revetments where alignments have been finalized; and Stage-2 investigations comprising 260 boreholes at sanitary land-fills, regulators, sluices and groynes where site locations have not yet been finalized. Stage-1 work started in late June and was completed during the reporting quarter. Progress was initially hampered due to high water levels, but reasonable progress has been achieved. It is anticipated that remaining site selections will be finalized by the end of November and that the Stage-2 investigations can be completed by the end of January 2008. Details of geotechnical program and progress are shown in the following table:

Geotechnical Program

Item of Work Total

Quantity (Nos.)

Cumulative Work Progress Work (%)

Reporting Quarter

Next Quarter

Drilling Boreholes 402 35 100

Collecting Soil Samples 802 35 100

Testing Soil Samples 5614 35 80

Preparing Reports 2 x 9 = 18 50 75

Hydrological Investigations During the quarter, the hydrology database established during the preparatory Technical Assistance Project was recovered and updated to facilitate hydrology data collection. Short duration (3 hourly) rainfall data has been collected from the Bangladesh Meteorology Department (BMD). Using the data, depth-duration-frequency values have been evaluated for use in the urban drainage design. A number of the Lowest Low Water levels, used for design of riverbank revetment and underwater river training, have been reviewed and revised.



A study was undertaken to determine the flow distribution of the Titas River into Town and Anderson Khal in Brahmanbaria. In August, BWDB Hydrology was engaged to collect field measurements. The flow measurements have been collected and are currently awaiting final review and evaluation. Preliminary results suggest that the flow in the Titas River may decrease and that flow in Anderson Khal may increase from previous predictions. During the next quarter, a hydraulic model will be developed using HECRAS to determine drainage disposal requirements of Aqua Khal in Mymensingh. Model Studies One physical model study is to be carried out by the River Research Institute (RRI) for protection of right bank of the Gorai River from upstream of the proposed spurs/groynes to Shashan Ghat at Kushtia Town. The model study will assess the effectiveness of the bank protection works and will optimize the design of river training works. Required bathymetric information was collected by IWM during the reporting quarter, and is currently being processed. Model construction is expected to start early next quarter in RRI’s Faridpur laboratory. The physical model study is expected to be completed in January 2008.

Numeric modelling studies were carried out by IWM for Manikganj, Munshiganj and Sunamganj towns. The primary objective of the studies was to determine whether the implementation of STIFPP-II flood protection works would have any significant effect on existing flooding patterns by raising the flood height or affecting the river flow regime and channel morphology. The numeric model studies were completed during the reporting quarter. The sub-consultant made a presentation of study results, and a draft report has been received and is currently under review.

Study results indicate that the STIFPP-II project works will have negligible effect on flood levels in Munshiganj and Sunamganj. However, the investigation predicts that the project would increase flood levels along the Kaliganga River in Manikganj by 0.2 m for a flood of similar magnitude to the 1988 maximum recorded flood. This estimate is thought to be conservatively high and is not a serious concern to project implementation.

2.3.2 Design Activities

Of the 26 works in the 2007/08 BWDB Component-A work program, design data has been collected for 10 works, 9 designs have been completed and submitted to the Design Office, and 8 have been approved. A number of problems have been identified during the design of flood protection works in Munshiganj, Brahmanbaria and Sunamganj that are explained in Section 2.4.3. The originally proposed 2007/08 LGED Component-B work program was ambitious. Design progress has been delayed due to a lack of design data, particularly survey data, and by limited resources in the MDS Consultant design team. Of the 96 works in the work program, design data has been collected for 32 works. Of those works, 16 designs have been completed, 14 have been submitted and 12 have been approved. A summary of the 2007/08 design program, on a town basis, is given below. Details of the design program, on an individual works basis, are given in Table A-5. The detailed table also includes the 2006/07 design program for completeness.



2007/08 Design Summary

Town Total

Designs

Design Data

Collected

Design Complete

Design Submitted

Design Approved

Component-A

Kushtia 4 0 0 0 0

Rajshahi 1 1 1 1 1

Gaibandha 3 2 2 2 2

Jamalpur 3 3 2 2 2

Mymensingh 2 1 1 1 1

Manikganj 1 1 1 1 1

Munshiganj 5 1 1 1 0

Brahmanbaria 4 0 0 0 0

Sunamganj 3 1 1 1 1

26 10 9 9 8

Component-B

Kushtia 15 5 3 3 1

Rajshahi 5 3 3 3 3

Gaibandha 9 2 1 1 1

Jamalpur 16 7 1 1 1

Mymensingh 16 3 3 2 2

Manikganj 3 2 2 2 2

Munshiganj 6 0 0 0 0

Brahmanbaria 17 2 2 2 2

Sunamganj 9 8 1 0 0

96 32 16 14 12

2.3.3 Tender and Contractual Procedures

For the BWDB Component-A work program, 14 tender packages worth Tk 9,322 Lac have been floated but no tenders have been received, as of the end of the reporting quarter. It is hoped that Work Orders can be issued for 11 contracts by early November. It is particularly critical that the contracts in Rajshahi that include the supply of geo-bags, for which considerable lead time is required, are completed as soon as possible. For the LGED Component-B Drainage Works, 20 tender packages worth Tk 2,297 Lac have been floated, 15 packages have been received and 2 Work Orders have been issued. For LGED Component-C Environmental Works (public toilets), 7 tender packages worth Tk 130 Lac have been floated and received, and 3 Work Orders have been issued. For BWDB contract packages, it is anticipated that starting in mid October the MDS Consultant will play an active role as members of the tender sub-committee who actually scrutinize the individual tender submissions and prepare the tender evaluation report. This arduous task will likely divert resources away from design activities and the preparation of the initial land acquisition and resettlement plans, which are also critically important to project implementation. For LGED contract packages, the MDS Consultant actually review and approve the reports prepared by the tender evaluation committee before Work Orders are issued. A contractual summary, on a town basis, is given below. Tender progress details, on an individual package basis, are given in Table A-6.



Contractual Summary

Town

Tender Value

(Tk Lac) Tender Floated

Tender Received

Work Order Issued

Component-A

Rajshahi 5,008.51 6 0 0

Jamalpur 1,392.07 3 0 0

Mymensingh 1,791.76 3 0 0

Manikganj 1,129.57 2 0 0

9,321.91 14 0 0

Component-B

Kushtia 200.19 4 4 0

Rajshahi 946.42 2 2 0

Gaibandha 143.12 2 2 0

Mymensingh 327.01 4 1 0

Manikganj 179.68 2 2 0

Munshiganj 136.13 2 2 2

Brahmanbaria 364.73 4 2 0

2,297.28 20 15 2

Component-C

Kushtia 16.4 1 1 0

Gaibandha 19.96 1 1 0

Jamalpur 17.42 1 1 1

Mymensingh 21.58 1 1 0

Munshiganj 16.94 1 1 1

Brahmanbaria 21.66 1 1 0

Sunamganj 16.07 1 1 1

130.03 7 7 3

2.3.4 Construction Activities

The total cost of works initiated in the 2007/08 BWDB Component-A work program is estimated to be over Tk 16,000 Lac. It is projected that over Tk 10,000 Lac of physical work will be completed during the 2007/08 fiscal year. However, no physical work has been started to date and no work is projected to be started next quarter. The total cost of works initiated in the 2007/08 LGED Component-B work program is estimated to be almost Tk 10,500 Lac. It is projected that around Tk 6,750 Lac of physical work will be completed during the 2007/08 fiscal year. While no physical work has yet been started, it is anticipated that over Tk 700 Lac of work will be completed next quarter. The total cost of works initiated in the 2007/08 LGED Component-C work program is estimated to be Tk 130 Lac, all of which is expected to be completed during the 2007/08 fiscal year. It is estimated that Tk 4 Lac of work was completed during the reporting quarter, and it is anticipated that over Tk 70 Lac of work will be completed next quarter. One contract for the construction of 2 public toilets in Jamalpur was started in late September 2007. A summary of the planned and achieved value of construction works, on a town basis, is given below. Similar details, on an individual work basis, are given in Table A-7.



Construction Summary (Tk Lac)

Town Total

Estimated Cost

2007/08 Completion Projection

Completion

To Date Next

Quarter

Component-A

Kushtia 127 103 0 0

Rajshahi 5,009 3,506 0 0

Gaibandha 1,500 900 0 0

Jamalpur 2,012 1,888 0 0

Mymensingh 2,012 1,723 0 0

Manikganj 1,130 1,017 0 0

Munshiganj 2,049 558 0 0

Brahmanbaria 867 131 0 0

Sunamganj 1,483 250 0 0

16,189 10,076 0 0

Component-B

Kushtia 1,419 945 0 60

Rajshahi 2,597 2,220 0 432

Gaibandha 1,080 521 0 43

Jamalpur 1,013 393 0 0

Mymensingh 1,452 974 0 24

Manikganj 346 312 0 0

Munshiganj 693 343 0 68

Brahmanbaria 1,256 872 0 91

Sunamganj 628 167 0 0

10,484 6,747 0 718

Component-C

Kushtia 16 16 0 8

Gaibandha 20 20 0 10

Jamalpur 17 17 4 9

Mymensingh 22 22 0 11

Munshiganj 17 17 0 12

Brahmanbaria 22 22 0 11

Sunamganj 16 16 0 10

130 130 4 71

2.3.5 Solid Waste Management Activities

During the reporting quarter, an assessment of land requirements for construction of sanitary landfills, approach roads and transfer stations were completed for all 8 Towns. No environmental improvements are planned for Manikganj because these works are being implemented under a separate project. Mouza maps, required for the land acquisition process, have been collected in 6 Towns. Ward household and population statistics, and town maps showing Ward boundaries, required for design purposes, have been collected in 5 Towns. Designs, drawings, cost estimates and draft tender documents for the transfer stations have been prepared for 6 Towns: Rajshahi, Kushtia, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Munshiganj and Brahmanbaria. Designs and tender documents have not been completed in Gaibandha and Sunamganj because required design data has not yet been received. Discussions with all



stakeholders to finalize the location of transfer stations in all eight towns will be completed next quarter. A work plan, that identifies the responsibilities and implementation schedule for all works and the individual activities required, is currently around 50% complete and will be fully completed during the next quarter. While progress of solid waste activities has improved, progress is still slower than planned. This delay is discussed in Section 2.4.5. 2.3.6 Other Supportive Activities

Other supportive activities that are fundamental to the overall project success include:

Land Acquisition and Resettlement

Social and Gender Development

Monitoring and Evaluation, and

Environmental Studies. Land Acquisition and Resettlement An NGO, the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), has been engaged to help in the land acquisition and resettlement processes. The agreement was signed in mid June, but the notice to proceed was only given in mid September. The notice to proceed was deferred pending the necessary prerequisite completion of design work by the consultant, and the collection of mouza maps and preparation of land plans by BWDB and LGED. The main tasks to be completed by the NGO include the following:

Conduct detailed resettlement censuses

Carry out land market surveys

Update compensation entitlement matrices

Prepare and issue identity cards

Identify squatters to be relocated

Develop the resettlement action plans

Prepare resettlement schedules, and

Render special assistance to vulnerable groups

As of the end of the reporting quarter, the NGO had mobilized its staff and started work in Rajshahi. The towns to be processed first, in order of the priority list developed by the BWDB Project Director, are as follows: Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Manikganj, and Gaibandha. The process for clearing land from unauthorized occupation and resettlement implementation has been significantly streamlined by the current Caretaker Government. As per the project feasibility study, the total land requirement for the 9 Towns was 47.3 ha, but this figure is expected to increase significantly. In Sunamganj, a major change in the flood protection design is expected to increase the land requirement from 1.4 ha to around 29.0 ha. The table below shows the original and current best estimate of land acquisition requirements for each town, plus the progress of Mouza map collection. Until designs have been finalized, changes to land requirements can still be expected.



Land acquisition and Resettlement Summary

Town

Land Required (ha) Mouza Map

Collection (%)

Original Current Best

Estimate

Kushtia 10.0 4.3 80

Rajshahi 2.0 7.3 5

Gaibandha 2.0 2.4 90

Jamalpur 1.7 3.1 40

Mymensingh 6.5 2.9 20

Manikganj 10.5 10.5 60

Munshiganj 12.0 20.0 5

Brahmanbaria 1.2 4.8 10

Sunamganj 1.4 29.0 5

Total 47.3 84.3

Much of the land acquisition process along Goba Khal in Jamalpur has already been completed, and to date Tk 63 Lac has been paid to the Jamalpur District Commissioner for compensation. Social & Gender Development During the reporting quarter, the Domestic Social and Gender Specialist visited Manikganj and Munshiganj to discuss gender equality issues with the Town Chairman and LGED Executive Engineer. The creation of employment opportunities for poor local women in civil construction and maintenance works was specifically discussed. Other social and gender activities performed during the quarter included the following:

Prepared a report on social and gender activities for the ADB review mission

Contributed to the paper prepared for the Steering Committee meeting

Attended the LGED Gender Strategy and Action Plan (2007 - 2015) Workshop

Prepared a Bengali version of the STIFPP-II Gender Action Plan

Wrote a Gender and Development training manual in Bengali

Attended a two-day workshop on Annual Planning for STIFPP-II Pourashavas, and

Proposed revisions to Gender Action Plan, for consideration by the BWDB and LGED Project Directors (PDs)

Future plans regarding gender issues include the following:

Finalize revisions to the project’s Gender Action Plan by 30 November.

Communicate with project engineers and pourashava staff about the need to utilize female labourers in civil construction works, and devise a strategy to recruit them

Prepare town-level Gender Action Plans which include specific local initiatives, and

Monitor and promote economic development savings initiatives by the women dominated “primary groups”, and women’s participation in decision-making, through further field visits

Outstanding gender issues in the Project are:

An appropriate level for women participation in civil construction works, subject to their availability, needs to be included in the revised DPP, so that it can be included in all



subsequent tender documents

Urban Governance Improvement Action Program (UGIAP) activities to strengthen the position of the Female Ward Commissioners, are producing varying results. There are large discrepancies in women participation between towns, and also between wards in the same town. In Gaibandha, Ward-level Coordinating Committees have had almost 50% female participants, but in other towns the levels are less than 20%. In many wards only one token female (the Female Ward Commissioner) joins meetings of 15 to 20 persons. Furthermore, women who do attend meetings need to be encouraged to participate more actively

Training on gender issues and the project’s Gender Action Plan by the LGED Project Management Office (PMO) needs to be extended to all Ward Commissioners, and

In Rajshahi, there seems to be little apparent interest in the social goals of this project, but officials from all other towns seem to be supporting gender equity and social goals to an acceptable degree

Monitoring & Evaluation During the reporting quarter, a comprehensive set of monitoring indicators pertaining to the physical and financial progress of project works, and the capacity building of the organization were finalized, after due consultation with both the BWDB and LGED PMOs. A set of 35 tables has been developed for monitoring the agreed indicators which has also been approved by the PMOs. Following consultation with the PMOs, all project activities have been assigned weights based on the volume and value of work and the effort required for their completion. Each activity has been categorized under one of the following five heads: Preparatory Works, Flood Protection, Drainage, Environmental and Implementation Assistance. Using this weighting system, it is possible to predict and track overall project implementation progress (refer to Section 2.2 and Table A-4). Early in the next quarter, the monitoring indicators, table formats and activity weights will be sent to ADB for their concurrence. After ADB approval, the tables will be circulated to appropriate offices, who will be asked to supply the required information on a regular basis. Environmental Studies The International and Domestic Environmental Specialists completed their first assignments during the previous quarter. During their assignments they reviewed the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Data Collection Program prepared during the feasibility study. They also prepared reports on the Environmental Action Plan for STIFPP-II, the environmental impact of using geo-bags in erosion protection work, and advised the PMO and Project Implementation Units (PIUs) on establishing and implementing the EMP. Terms of reference for conducting the Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) for landfill sites has been completed by the International Solid Waste Management Specialist, who prepared it in the Philippines and forwarded it to the project. Under the project, a large volume of construction works will be undertaken and environmental reporting to the Department of Environment will be required. Additionally, preparation of IEEs for each of the eight sanitary landfill sites will be required. Logically, these IEEs should be prepared jointly by the Domestic Environmentalist and International Solid Waste Management Specialist. It is important to note that the most sensitive environmental issue in STIFPP-II will be the creation of the eight sanitary landfills.



Therefore, the MDS Consultant has proposed that these critical works shall be undertaken by the Domestic Environmental Specialist under the guidance of the International Solid Waste Management Specialist who has accreditation to conduct IEEs from the Philippines. This recommended action has not been accepted by LGED and hence the Consultant is preparing an alternative proposal to ensure these studies commence in the near future.

2.4 Problems Encountered and Suggested Remedial Measures

2.4.1 Increased Cost of New Revetment Works

The cost of new riverbank revetment works has increased significantly from values originally projected in the BWDB DPP. The table below shows the original cost and the current best estimate for revetment in 5 Towns where updated estimates are available based on approved designs. The cost of revetment has increased by an average of 221% over previously suggested figures.

Increased Cost of New Revetment Works

Town Length

(km)

Cost (Tk Lac)

Previous New

Rajshahi 4.75 4,675 9,516

Gaibandha 5.50 1,630 4,089

Jamalpur 4.40 1,390 1,952

Mymensingh 5.80 2,030 5,773

Manikganj 2.00 712 1738

Total 22.45 10,437 23,068

The MDS Consultants have reviewed the designs, and where technically feasible have recommended less costly design alternatives, such as using geo-bags in place of costly CC blocks (refer to Section 2.4.3), and the omission of falling aprons where the field situation over many years has shown that the only requirement for protection is from wave action. 2.4.2 Increased Land Acquisition Requirements

As detailed in Section 2.3.6, land requirements in Sunamganj and other towns are expected to increase significantly over figures originally projected in the preparatory Technical Assistance Project; from 47 ha to over 84 ha. More time and resources will be required to complete the required land acquisition and resettlement activities. It is expected that the NGO engaged and mobilized late in the reporting quarter will help facilitate and expedite these processes. 2.4.3 Slow Design Progress for Flood Protection Works

Design progress of flood protection works in most towns is generally acceptable, but there is still a number of outstanding issues that need to be resolved quickly. The design of new riverbank protection in Munshiganj was originally approved in mid August, but the cost estimate was much higher than originally anticipated. In mid September, the MDS Consultant subsequently reviewed the design to try to reduce costs, suggested three alternate designs, and recommended the one considered most technically sound and cost effective. The response from BWDB design office is still pending. The design of new floodwalls and rehabilitation of existing riverbank protection in Munshiganj has been stalled because the BWDB Design Engineer insists that the proposed bank protection be extended into the river well beyond the zone of active erosion. The proposed



BWDB design change would significantly increase costs. Discussions with the BWDB Design Office are ongoing. The design of new riverbank revetment in Sunamganj using CC blocks was initially approved by the BWDB Design Office in early July. Subsequently, as suggested by the Steering Committee and ADB Review Mission, it was recommended by the consultant to use geo-bags to reduce costs. The BWDB Design Office is still apprehensive about the use of geo-bags. The matter will be pursued by the International Hydraulic Specialist (an expert in geo-bag design) early next quarter. The design for the new riverbank revetment along the right bank of Anderson Diversion Khal in Brahmanbaria was prepared and submitted to the BWDB Design Office for approval in late June. Subsequently, during a joint site verification visit in late July by the MDS Consultant and BWDB Design Engineers, some discrepancies were identified in the cross-section survey data. A new survey will be conducted by the surveying sub-consultant to rectify the discrepancies as soon the flood level recedes early next quarter. 2.4.4 Concerns with Detail Design of Drainage Works

During the feasibility study, the consultant, Klohn Crippen, expressed concerns about some aspects of the design of drainage works carried out under STIFPP-I. Similar concerns have been expressed by this MDS Consultant during the current design phase. These concerns relate to issues such as:

Insufficient and inadequate design resources

Lack of detail in engineering surveys

Insufficient knowledge of the locations of future drainage inlets, and

The need to consider public safety, pollution and aesthetics of the works in the design process.

While the MDS Consultant has responded to the Client’s and ADB’s wishes to complete detailed designs and call tenders as soon as possible, as a consequence in some respects the quality of the designs has suffered. It is therefore now recommended that time be given to the MDS Consultant to review the detailed designs prior to construction commencement. During this review, the Consultant will add details where necessary to ensure that the works to be constructed include all information readily available. 2.4.5 Progress with Solid Waste Management

After a slow start in January 2007, for a time the progress of the solid waste management activities improved, but for various reasons during the last two months progress has slowed down again. The situation is clearly not satisfactory and hence the Consultant is preparing a new, more detailed Work Plan covering only the Solid Waste Management activities. This plan will follow the suggested outline given by the LGED PD and will be submitted during October 2007. The new Work Plan will recommend changes to staffing and inputs (person-months) as well as recommend clarification of inconsistencies in project documents and the scope of the project works.



2.4.6 Additional Inputs for the MDS Consultant

In the Inception Report and at various times since, the MDS Consultant has recommended additional inputs to the project to improve the quality of its work activities and to increase its output. These requests are not unusual and occur on most projects due to unforeseen difficulties not apparent to the Consultant (and often the Client, too) at the time of submission of the project proposal. The Consultant has requested three new inputs as follows:

An expatriate Drainage Design Engineer for LGED works

A domestic Construction Supervision Engineer with experience in the placement of geo-bags for BWDB river bank protection works, and

A Procurement Specialist familiar with the preparation of BWDB tender documents and the evaluation of tenders for major BWDB works.

The MDS Consultant still considers these inputs to be important to the outcome of the project. However with the process of time, it now likely that the requirement for an expatriate Drainage Engineer will be broadened to include experience in Solid Waste Management. 2.4.7 Reduction in 2007/08 Construction Program

The construction program, as summarized in Section 2.3.4 and detailed in Table A-7, indicates that during the 2007/08 fiscal year Tk 10,076 Lac of physical work will be completed under BWDB Component-A and Tk 6,777 Lac of physical work will be completed under LGED Components-B and C. These are down significantly from previous figures predicted in Quarterly Progress Report No. 2: down 38% from Tk 16,249 Lac for BWDB, and down 25% from Tk 9,037 Lac for LGED. Given the significant risks and uncertainties involved, even the current projection figures are considered to be optimistic and will likely to be difficult to achieve. The MDS Consultant will continue to monitor and attempt to expedite construction progress in the following months, by expediting the design, tendering, contractual and construction supervision activities.



3. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

3.1 Forewords

The MDS Consultant has established the STIFPP-II Project Office in Dhaka and most of the PIU offices in the 9 secondary towns. They have purchased equipment needed to carry-out their work, and mobilized essentially all team members based in Dhaka, and most of their personnel based in the towns.

3.2 Mobilization of Consultant’s Team Members

As of the end of the reporting quarter, a total of 38 team members had been mobilized, including all 6 International Specialists, 14 Domestic Specialists and 18 Other Domestic Professionals. A total of 7 positions remain to be filled, primarily construction engineers. These vacant positions will likely be filled next quarter well before scheduled construction starts in early 2008 (refer to Table B-1).

3.3 Current Status of Utilization of Person-Months

Table B-2 gives details of the utilization of the person-months for all professional MDS Consultants. As of the end of the reporting quarter, 34% of International Specialists person-months, 32% of Domestic Specialists person-months, and 13% of Other Domestic Professionals person-months had been utilized. Table B-3 gives the number of days that each Consultant spent in the field during the reporting quarter. The MDS Consultant only spent 44 person-days in the field during the quarter because of seasonal high water levels and lack of construction activities.

3.4 Establishment of Offices for Project Implementation Units (PIUs)

BWDB and LGED PIU offices of the MDS Consultants are being established in all 9 Towns to provide close supervision of all Project construction works. The locations of all 18 PIU offices have been finalized. Furniture has been purchased for 13 offices, plus 2 computers and 6 motorcycles have been distributed to the PIU offices. It is expected that furniture for the remaining 5 offices will be purchased during the next quarter.

3.5 Important Meetings and Field Trips

An abridged list of important meetings and field trips during the reporting quarter is shown below, together with the major decisions taken. To highlight the most important meetings and field trips, only those that have a significant impact on the project have been included. 1. An Inter-ministerial Project Steering Committee (IPSC) meeting was held on 19 July

2007 to provide overall coordination and guidance to the project. Among major decisions, the following need to be addressed by the MDS Consultants:

Develop an achievable time-bound work plan

Review design criteria to reduce the project costs and land requirements, and

Update project costs for inclusion in the revised DPP by December 2007

2. ADB fielded a Loan Review Mission during the quarter. The mission members had

meetings with BWDB, LGED and the MDS Consultant from 08 - 13 August 2007. A wrap up meeting was held on 14 August 2007 in the Conference Room of the Director General, BWDB to review the Aide Memoire. Once seasonal flooding had receded, the mission members along with BWDB, LGED and MDS Consultant representatives undertook a field visit to Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Gaibandha and Rajshahi from 11 - 13



September 2007. The major decisions contained in the Aide Memoire include the following:

Fill remaining vacant MDS Consultant positions in PIU offices

Explore further use of geo-bags as a riverbank protection material

Improve the implementation performance of the Solid Waste Management component

MDS Gender Team is to interact closely with the ADB Gender Specialist

Issue 15 BWDB and 13 LGED contract packages by 15 November 2007, and

Improve project coordination by conducting regular Project Management Team (PMT) meetings

3. In response to the above Aide Memoire decision, the PMT convened a meeting on 17

September 2007 to discuss recent project developments. Decisions taken include the following:

Prepare a work plan of all Solid Waste Management activities

Visit proposed transfer stations to obtain public response in a participatory manner, and

Implementation of the incineration plants, the compost plant at Rajshahi, and all existing landfill sites, including where necessary the upgrading of approach roads, is to be expedited. The implementation of new landfill sites is to be deferred until later in the project

3.6 Town Level Meetings

The Team Leader, MDS Consultants attended a Town Level Coordination Committee Meeting in Sunamganj on 30 September 2007. The meeting was participated by government officials, consultants, project beneficiaries and stakeholders. Concerns were initially raised regarding the slow project implementation since completion of the preliminary feasibility study in 2004, but participants were subsequently pleased to hear about the current progress of flood protection, drainage and environmental works.



4. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

4.1 Statements of Expenditure for Civil Works

The MDS Consultant intends to assist the BWDB and LGED PMOs in the preparation of the statements of expenditure for submission to ADB. Using a database, the Consultant plans to track bills paid to contractors for all project construction works. This will provide an independent verification on the figures provided from the BWDB Regional Accounting Centres (RACs) and LGED Town Account Sections. Before payment is made to contractors for any civil works, the Consultant is also required to certify each work for quality control. Since there has been no construction progress in Component-A, B or C, there is currently no reimbursement to document. Some reimbursement can be expected next quarter in the form of advance payments made to expedite contractor mobilization and some limited actual construction progress.

4.2 Financial Status of PMOs

Basic information regarding the BWDB and LGED project components along with actual expenditure to 30 September 2007 is shown in Table C-1 for the BWDB Part and Table C-2 for the LGED Part.

APPENDIX-A

WORK PROGRAM DETAILS

Table A-1 : Summary of 2007/08 Work Program Entities

Table A-2 : Summary of 2007/08 Work Program Costs

Table A-3 : Projected Expenditures based on Work Plan

Table A-4 : Overall Weighted Project Progress

Table A-5 : 2007/2008 Work Program Design Progress Details

Table A-6 : 2007/2008 Work Program Tender Progress Details

Table A-7 : 2007/2008 Work Program Construction Progress Details

APPENDIX-B

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Table B – 1 : Consultant Mobilization

Table B – 2 : Utilization of Consultant Person-months

Table B – 3 : Consultant Field Days during the Reporting Quarter

APPENDIX-C

FINANCIAL STATUS of PMOs

Table C-1 BWDB Part: Basic Information and Financial Status

Table C-2 LGED Part: Basic Information and Financial Status

APPENDIX-D

PHOTOS Photo 1. Social and Gender Meeting in Brahmanbaria

Photo 2. Seasonal flooding along Old Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh

Photo 3. Temporary flood protection works along Padma River in Rajshahi

Photo 4. Proposed site of the Bangsha Khal secondary lined drain in Jamalpur

Photo 5. ADB Mission visit to proposed Kazla primary lined drain in Rajshahi

Photo 6. ADB Mission personnel at proposed sanitary land fill site in Rajshahi

Photo 1. Social and gender issues meeting conducted by the Female Ward Commissioner

and the LGED Social and Gender Specialist in Brahmanbaria on 29 April 2007 Photo 2. Seasonal flooding of low-lying areas along the right bank of the Old Brahmaputra

River in Mymensingh on 11 September 2007

Photo 3. Erosion and temporary flood protection works using bamboo posts and tarza

walling along the left bank of the Padma River in Rajshahi on 13 September 2007 Photo 4. Field assessment of the proposed site for the Bangsha Khal secondary lined

drain in Jamalpur on 29 August 2007

Photo 5. Inspection by ADB Mission personnel to the site of the proposed Kazla primary

lined drain in Rajshahi on 13 September 2007 Photo 6. Field trip by ADB Mission personnel to the proposed sanitary land fill site in

Rajshahi on 13 September 2007

Documents

Bangladesh Water Development Boardstifpp-ii.synthasite.com/resources/QPR03.pdf · Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is the lead executing agency and is responsible for the