The HDM circle came into being in accordance with a covenant of the World Bank at the start of the RRMP-II and IDC2 projects in order to develop the RHD’s capabilities in the field of road maintenance planning.

The objective of the HDM is to contribute to the overall strategy of the Planning and Maintenance Wing by:

Developing an integrated modern system for the management of maintenance and development activities of RHD Network by strategic planning, programming of road works, project analysis, research & policy studies.

a) To provide regular information from the Database of the RHD Road Network.

b) To provide strategic plans for maintenance and development works through the use of modern tools such as HDM.

c) To fix priorities for budgetary allocations both for investment and maintenance activities.

d) To submit reports on the economic priorities for the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads.

e) To provide RHD Network Maps from the GIS.

f) To make available management information on the RHD road network by the integration of road databases, GIS and HDM data.

The HDM Circle is headed by a Superintending Engineer who is supported by three Executive Engineers each in-charge of a division, namely:

a) GIS

b) Operations

c) Database

It should be noted that existing data collection division has been renamed as the GIS Division. A number of posts proposed in the HDM circle are currently development posts under IDC3 and need converting into sanctioned posts if the circle activities are to be made sustainable.

The numbers of personnel in the Circle are shown in the attached table which shows the total proposed number of personnel in the Circle to be 54 which is slightly less than the total current sanctioned strength plus approved development posts (under IDC3). Of the proposed number of personnel in the Circle 15 are Class I, 4 Class II, 27 Class III and 8 Class IV staff.

Certain officers in the HDM Circle are to be designated as specialists. Specialist posts for engineers with specialist training are hash marked thus, EE #.Specialist posts for engineers, or non-engineers, with specialist qualifications are shown together with the equivalent engineering grade thus, Exec. Transport Economist (EE*).

a) Carry out surveys on the RHD road network to acquire data on roughness, RCS, BCS, traffic survey, DCP, deflection, pavement inventory etc.

b) Screening and checking of all data.

c) Entering of data into RMMS and BMMS arranging necessary verification for acceptability.

d) Compilation of data and arranging publication of the annual RHD database report.

e) Distribution of the annual RHD database report.

f) Preparation and updating of RHD digital road maps and their printing, publication and distribution.

g) Preparation of annual maintenance and development plans for RHD using the HDM system.

h) Develop the linkages between the GIS, databases and HDM systems to enable the users of RHD Intranet to have on line access to all relevant data.

g) Carry out evaluation of development projects and pre and post evaluation of projects using the HDM system as required.

The budget for the HDM Circle is shown on the attached table. The budget table shows both the annual operation and maintenance costs (including the costs of undertaking surveys) and the capital costs of purchasing new, and replacing old, equipment. As not all equipment will be purchased or replaced immediately the capital cost has been annualised depending on the average life of the various items of equipment. The costs shown exclude the cost of personnel who are paid for from other sources.

On this basis the annual recurring cost for the Circle is Taka 134.50 lacs and the capital cost on an annualised basis is Taka 35.80 lacs. A total cost of Taka 170.30 lacs per annum. Of this total amount Taka 89.00 lacs is to cover the costs of studies survey and investigations carried out by local consultants.

The HDM Circle requires resources for Head Quarters operations and to enable the Circle to undertake necessary surveys, investigations etc. using both the Circles’ own resources and local consultants. A number of vehicles are required to be equipped for specialist survey work. Much of the work of this Circle involves computer systems and there is therefore a heavy requirement for computers and related equipment.

The resources required are shown in the table below: