Padma Bridge to widen horizon of tourism sector

With the much-awaited inauguration of Padma Bridge around the corner travel lovers are expecting to see a new attractive tourist recreational spot as the country has rarely such a place to offer them.

Not only a new tourist spot a new horizon will also be unveiled for the investors in the tourism sector, say industry insiders.

The government and private investors are setting up tourism infrastructures with modern facilities to attract tourists to pass leisure time with families and friends relishing the beauty of the Padma River.

Industry insiders say Padma Multipurpose Bridge and adjacent areas would be turned into a tourism hub boosting the country’s economy.

It will also ease travel to Sundarban, panoramic sea beach Kuakata, south-western heritage sites and riverine travel experience.

Hotel-motel, resorts, restaurants and car parking were built on both sides of the Mawa River. Some tourism infrastructures are also being built from Dhaka to South-Western 21 districts highways.

People have begun to relocate their tourism businesses there to survive. People dependent on passenger transporting across the Padma River are also trying to move near the bridge.

Mobarak Hossain, the owner of Padma Sweetmeat at Kathalbarighat in Zajira, told The Business Post that they had been doing business for 20 years. As his customers will use the bridge he decided to relocate his business along the highway.

Liton Mia, proprietor of Niribili Bikrampur Hotel and Restaurant at Mawa Ghat, said thousands of people come here just to see the bridge. As the number of visitors will grow he is thinking of continuing his business on the bank of the river.

Project Hilsa, a restaurant, built on 27 May 2021 has already got popularity.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), a statutory body tasked to promote the tourism industry of the country, officials hope international tourists would come to visit the Padma River and South Bengal after the opening of the Padma Bridge.

In January 2021, the BPC launched ‘Padma Cruise’, a river cruise, that transports people from Mawaghat to Louhajang Upazila of Munshiganj to boost river tourism.

The cruise packages include lunch, light snacks, tea and coffee.

BPC emphasised the development of maritime tourism. It has already taken various initiatives to develop the river-centric tourism industry in South Bengal including the Padma River. They also sought land from the Padma Bridge Authority to set up a resort there.

“Tourists want comfortable road communication system, security and facilities. Tourist spots there should be more attractive to local and international visitors after the opening of the Padma Bridge,” Md Ali Kadar, Chairman of BPC told The Business Post.

He said they would set up multiple structures there.

It is not only a road connection but also a place of trade and industries. Heavy industries will be set up in greater Faridpur, Barishal and Khulna.

Hotel owners on both sides of Mawa and Zajira say now travellers visit the place to have the taste of Hilsa fish. Travellers’ pressure mounted after the Padma Bridge came into view.

There are two types of customers at the hotels and restaurants - passengers of 21 districts and fans and foodies of Hilsa fish. So foodie type of tourists will increase at highway inns after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.

Newaz Uddin, Finance Officer of Sampan Highway Inn and Party Center at Hironkhandi in Kashiani of Gopalganj, told The Business Post that they had set up the highway hotel one and a half years ago keeping in mind the Padma Bridge. He said long-distance passengers will grow after the opening of the bridge.

Investors built hotels, motels and resorts in the char area of Naodobain Zajira. Locals hope Bangabandhu International Airport will be constructed there.

The Bridge authorities say they are also thinking of bridge-based tourism infrastructure. Three residences and a site office have already been built in the services areas on both sides.

Zoo Museum

The Padma Multipurpose Bridge Authority will launch a Zoo Museum in the Dogasi area of Sreenagar Upazila.

With the Environment Management Plan (EMP) of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project (PMBP) the museum is at its developing stage.

DR Niamul Naser, Professor and Chairman, Department of Zoology of Dhaka University who coordinated the project, told The Busines Post that the museum was designed to display local animal specimens including a replica of boat, fishing gears, bird nests and animal skeletons. It will also showcase local things of cultural and natural heritage, Niamul Naser added.