The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed two mega projects aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Bangladesh Police. The ministry has presented these two projects for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
A final decision on the two proposals is expected to be made at the ECNEC meeting scheduled for October 25 at the Secretariat. The meeting will be chaired by ECNEC President and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
One of the proposed projects concerns the procurement of operational vehicles for the police, while the other relates to specialized vehicle procurement. Under these two projects, the Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed an allocation of BDT 6,608.14 crore for the purchase of a total of 5,830 vehicles.
Of this proposed investment, BDT 4,328 crore will be spent on acquiring 4,829 operational vehicles, and BDT 2,280.14 crore will be allocated for 1,001 specialized vehicles. Both projects are slated for implementation between October of the current year and June 2029, with the government bearing the entire cost.
This proposed procurement process has been initiated against the backdrop of a significant gap between the Bangladesh Police force’s existing vehicle fleet and their operational requirements.
It is noteworthy that the country’s 639 administrative police stations currently possess 1,237 vehicles. With an average of fewer than two vehicles per station and approximately 64 percent of the existing fleet being over a decade old, the police face challenges in maintaining regular patrols, responding to emergencies, and deploying personnel to critical areas.
The proposed investment is expected to enhance the police’s mobility capabilities and operational readiness. This will enable the police to respond more effectively to crime, public order disturbances, and security threats.
The specialized vehicle project plans to acquire riot control vehicles, vehicles suitable for inaccessible areas, mobile command centers, and specialized vans for crime scene inspections to meet specific law enforcement needs.
These vehicles will assist in managing crowds, conducting operations in remote areas, coordinating various field units, and collecting evidence during criminal investigations.
The modernization plan also identifies the necessity of purchasing speedboats and local boats to strengthen police operations across the country’s extensive waterways. These watercraft will aid in riverine patrols, protecting critical installations, anti-terrorism operations, and emergency rescue missions. In addition to vehicle procurement, both projects include provisions for training to acquire the necessary skills for their operation and maintenance.
Under the operational vehicles project, 650 personnel will receive light vehicle driving and mechanics training, 300 will undergo heavy vehicle driving and mechanics training, and another 50 will be trained in vehicle repair. The specialized vehicles project includes driving and mechanics training for 910 personnel, and mechanics training for an additional 50. The operational project also incorporates BDT 1.5 crore for vehicle maintenance and repair equipment and tools.
The revised Development Project Proposal for the operational vehicles project was reviewed on October 15 at a Project Evaluation Committee meeting. As per the committee’s recommendations, foreign training was omitted, and the proposal was amended to align with the regulations of the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and the Finance Division.
Concurrently, following a review by the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, the specialized vehicles project has been separately recommended for ECNEC’s consideration. Neither project has received final approval, and their implementation is entirely dependent on ECNEC’s decision.
If approved, these two mega projects are expected to significantly enhance police capabilities nationwide.
