The Bridge Planning and Data Circle is a new circle which is created as part of the Bridge Management Wing under the overall re-organisation of RHD in 2000.

The objective of the Bridge Planning and Data Circle is to contribute to the overall strategy of the Bridge Management Wing by:

Managing the collection and processing of bridge data to enable the optimum utilisation of budgets and resources by planning the timely implementation of bridge maintenance, rehabilitation and construction works.

a) Bridge design, maintenance and construction standards.

b) Five year plan and Rolling plan for bridges under RHD Sub-Sector.

c) Programmes & budgets for bridge construction rehabilitation and maintenance.

d) Draft PPCPs, PCPs and PPs for bridge projects.

e) Report on Aid-worthy Project for bridges.

f) Disbursement of allocated budgets to the Zones and Projects for bridge works.

g) Annual National Bridge Condition Report.

The Planning and Data Circle is headed by a Superintending Engineer (SE) supported by 2 Executive Engineers who are each in charge of Division, namely:

a) Bridge Inspection and Planning Division.

b) Bridge Maintenance Programming Division.

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 48. The proposed number of personnel of the Circle is 9 Class I, 3 Class II, 25 Class III and 11 Class IV staff.

Certain officers in the Planning & Data Circle are to be designated as specialists. Specialist posts for engineers with specialist training are hash marked thus, EE#.

a) Manage and Maintain Bridge Databases (BMMS), including monitoring and checking data from annual bridge condition surveys, updating inspection procedures, data entry etc.

b) Procurement of consultancy services required for inspection, feasibility studies and geotechnical, hydrological & topographical surveys of bridges.

c) To carry out / procure regular detailed inspections of bridges as indicated by the BMMS data.

d) To carry out principle inspections on bridges constructed by others (including special projects) and reporting on their acceptability for inclusion in the RHD bridge stock.

e) To collect and procure all data & information for the planning and conceptual design for bridge rehabilitation and construction works.

f) Prepare draft PPCP, PCP & PP for bridge rehabilitation, construction and maintenance projects (including aid worthy projects) for finalisation by the Planning and Programming Circle.

g) Prepare Budgets for Bridge maintenance, rehabilitation and construction works to be included in the Revenue and ADP accounts.

h) Prepare work programmes and work packages for the implementation of bridgeworks.

i) Monitoring and reporting on the progress of all Bridge Projects.

j) To co-ordinate with other Circles on Bridge Related Matters.

k) Prepare 5-year plans for bridge works including future budgetary requirements.

The budget for the Planning and Data Circle is shown on the attached table. The budget table shows both the annual operation and maintenance costs 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.

Funds are required to outsource the necessary inspections, surveys and studies.

On this basis the annual recurring cost for the Circle is Taka 78.18 lacs and the capital cost on an annualised basis is Taka 21.23 lacs. A total cost of Taka 99.41 lacs per annum. A total of Taka 62.10 lacs out of the annual recurring costs is for bridge inspections and surveys carried out in house and through local consultants.

The Planning and Data 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.

The resources required are shown in the table below: