Performance-Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) under Second Bangladesh Rural Transport Improvement Project (RTIP-II): lessons learned and way forward

Abstract

Performance-Based Maintenance Contract is a new and innovative approach of road maintenance in Bangladesh. This is a cost-effective and time-saving initiative to keep rural roads in optimal riding condition during every season. Operated under the Bank’s Second Rural Transport Improvement Project (RTIP-II) and implemented by Bangladesh’s Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), a pilot of the PBMC program has focused on the maintenance of 438 km of rural road network in eight districts across the country. During implementation, a wide range of issues have been experienced in planning, designing and implementation in last couple of years. Some of the issues are localized but majorities are common irrespective of size, nature and location of the contracts. The PBMC is considered as the main road maintenance option for future maintenance policy. Therefore it is very important to finalize the modality of the approach. To do so, a workshop and brainstorming session was arranged with participation of different stakeholders. There were some set of questioner to collect information and group presentation session to understand problems and search for new solutions. To improve effectiveness of PBMCs, it was advised to develop a Maintenance Policy Implementation Strategy. Besides participants suggested that contract package size should not be less than 20km continuous length of road. Contractors expected e-GP system for PBMC also. Based on the findings, it is recommended that, PBMC should be included in maintenance business plan which is prepared under RTIP-II as part of implementation of rural road maintenance policy. This may enable to make PBMC contract exercise legally, budgetary and technically even under revenue budget.