Home ›› 26 Jun 2022 ›› Front
Jahidul Islam – a man in his sixties – cannot hold back tears of joy as his lifelong dream of easier and faster commute between Dhaka and his native home in Khulna became a reality with the grand inauguration of much-awaited Padma Bridge on Saturday.
Recalling the days when he utilised the ferry system to cross the mighty River Padma, Jahid said, “The last time I used this route was back in 2017. I was returning to Dhaka from my native home after celebrating Eid with my family.
“I am a cardiac patient. While waiting at the ferry ghat for hours, I fell ill and returned home. I later returned to Dhaka after the Eid rush ended, in a bid to avoid severe traffic congestion. However, my sons never allowed me to visit my native home since then fearing for my health.”
He continued with an optimistic tone, “I no longer have to fear for my health while visiting my native home in Khulna as the Padma Bridge has been opened for traffic, and the travel time from South and Southwestern districts to Dhaka will be much shorter than what it used to be.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who braved all odds for the construction of the bridge, in the integration ceremony said, “The bridge is not just a brick-cement-steel-iron made concrete infrastructure. This bridge is a symbol of our pride, our honour, and ability.”
Atiqur Rahman, a native of Barishal, said, “Due to long tailbacks at the ferry ghat, millions of people living in the region were excluded and deprived from quality lifestyle. But the bridge created new dreams of modern livelihood.
“We can now easily come to Dhaka within a couple of hours. This will certainly have an impact on our lifestyle.”
Alok Das, a fisherman in Satkhira who came to Kathalbari in Madaripur to attend PM’s Padma bridge opening rally, said, “My business will expand to Dhaka and the other districts, and I will be able to get fair prices for my fish.”
Abu Hanif of Bhola pointed out that not only fish, but taking ailing family members to Dhaka hospitals was also hard to do using the ferry system.
Ashik Ahmed, who was one of the thousands of people who walked on the bridge Saturday despite restrictions from the law enforcers, said, “I know it is illegal as the bridge is not open for the public today, but I could not resist like so many others.
“I may not get the chance again as walking on the bridge is restricted,” he told The Business Post with a smile on his face.
Mohammad Sujon Mia came from Mymensingh’s Gouripur area to see the bridge riding a bicycle for 18 hours. His T-shirt had a picture of the bridge on it. “I am happy that I got to see the bridge with my own eyes,” he said.
From early morning, hundreds of people started journeying from the capital to see the bridge, but faced traffic jams on the Dhaka-Mawa express way. The law enforce agencies blocked the road but the determined people waited for hours until the expressway reopened.
Some of them had started walking to reach the Mawa end of the bridge. When the traffic reopened to the public, they started moving towards the bridge on buses, motorcycles, and even on pickup vans defying sporadic rain and other hardships.
But when they reached the Toll Plaza of the bridge, the authorities had already blocked the entrance. Many sought to enter and tried to convince the authorities to let them in, but all public movement on the bridge remained restricted throughout the day.
Shahina Yasmin, a university student, said “Padma Bridge is our pride as we built the bridge on our own funds. When the World Bank withdrew, we did not care, so who cares about the rain!”
The bridge will open to vehicle traffic at 6am on Sunday, but pedestrians will not be allowed on it.
