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Millions of people wait for Padma Bridge inauguration

BSS . Dhaka
02 Jan 2022 00:00:00 | Update: 02 Jan 2022 04:00:24
Millions of people wait for Padma Bridge inauguration
An aerial view of the Padma Bridge – Shamsul Haque Ripon

Millions of people in the country have been eagerly waiting for June 30, 2022, the much-expected date to open the dream Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge for traffic.

According to economists, the government is optimistic that Padma Bridge will boost GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 1.5-2 per cent, as the entire bridge has already been visible as over 98 per cent works of the main bridge have already been completed so far.

“We're working hard to open the bridge to traffic within the stipulated date,” Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam told BSS on Saturday.

He said the overall progress of work of the Padma bridge project is over 89 per cent.

Shafiqul Islam said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dream bridge is being implemented with the country’s own fund.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has challenged the World Bank and other lending agencies that the government will show zero tolerance to corruption in the construction of the Mega Bridge,” the official said.

The bridge will change the economic landscape of southwestern Bangladesh, and also connect many countries of South and Southeast Asia, contributing to communication, trade, industry, tourism and many other sectors in various ways.

According to Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) officials, some 22 metres wide concrete deck slab (2.5 metres hard shoulder on the both side) with a 4-lane road on upper deck, while a single-track dual gauge rail will be installed on the lower deck. The deck height is 13.6 metres.

The bridge is being built with 760mm diameter Gas Transmission Line, 150mm diameter Fibre optical & Telephone Duct, High voltage Electric Line, platform in river over pile foundation at two kilometres downstream of the main bridge.

The construction of the main bridge is being carried out by China Major Bridge Engineering Company (MBEC), a Chinese contractor Company, and the river management is being done by Sino Hydro Corporation of China, BBA officials said.

According to project details, the construction work began on December 12, 2015 with government’s own fund.

The first span of the Padma Bridge was installed at the Janjira point of Shariatpur on October 7, 2017.

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