Dhaka, Jan. 25 -- Costly mega projects taken during the Awami League government, including the Padma Bridge, Padma Rail Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel and Payra Port, have had adverse impacts on the market, contributing to economic instability, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin reiterated on Sunday.

"The projected toll collection from the Padma Rail Bridge was Tk 1,400 crore, but only Tk 26 crore has been realised so far. It was claimed that the Padma Bridge would raise GDP by 2 percent; instead, GDP has declined. The draft of Payra Port is only four metres, it is unclear whether it is a port or merely a jetty. The same logic applies to the Karnaphuli Tunnel," he told a press conference at his ministry.

The adviser said thousands of crores of...