MAWA, Munshiganj, Oct 14, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here
today inaugurated the groundbreaking work of the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link
Construction Project’ unveiling a new horizon in the country’s rail sector
development.
The prime minister opened the groundbreaking work of the rail link between
Dhaka and Jashore under the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project on
the Mawa side of the bridge by unveiling its plaque.
Railways Minister Md Mazibul Haque briefed the prime minister about the
model of the rail link project.
Ministers, PM’s advisers, parliament members, the chief of army staff,
senior Awami League leaders, the project director of the Padma bridge scheme,
high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
A munajat was offered seeking continued peace, progress and development of
the country as well as the eternal peace of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
According to Railways Ministry sources, the first phase of the ‘Padma
Bridge Rail Link Construction Project’ will establish rail link between Mawa
and Bhanga via Janjira and Shibchar through the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
It will connect Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur,
Faridpur, Gopalganj, Narail and Jashore.
The Chinese government-nominated contractor China Railway Group Limited is
implementing the project under China G2G system.
A loan agreement was signed with Chinese Exim Bank for $2667.94 million in
this regard.
Under the project, 23 km ballast-less elevated viaduct rail line will be
constructed.
On the elevated viaduct, two platforms, one mainline and two loop lines
will be constructed along with installation of elevators.
The Engineering Corps of Bangladesh Army, the symbol of confidence of the
country, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) are
performing responsibilities as its consultants.
Earlier, upon her arrival at Mawa at about 11 am from Dhaka by an Air Force
helicopter, the prime minister first unveiled a name plaque of the Padma
Bridge and 60 percent progress work of the 6.15-kilometer bridge on the Mawa
side.
She also inaugurated the 1300 meter permanent river bank protection work in
Mawa-Kandipara-Jasholdia area.
The estimated cost of the Padma Bridge Project is Taka 30,193.39 crore and
of the amount, Tk 12,972.46-crore has so far been spent.
Officials informed the premier that the implementation work of the bridge
is going on satisfactorily and its overall progress is 60 percent and
physical progress of the main bridge is 70 percent.
With the setting up the fifth span, they said, 750-meter of the main
structure of the bridge has become visible. The bridge is being constructed
with most modern technologies and materials.
The bridge is being built with steel and concrete structures and vehicles
will ply through its upper deck and train will run through the lower deck,
the officials said.
With the completion of the bridge, they said, 19 southern districts will be
directly connected with Dhaka by road and rail.
The prime minister also visited the expressway construction project of Dhaka
(Jatrabari)-Mawa and Pachchar-Bhanga Highway.The project was approved
by the ECNEC on May 3 in 2016.
The 51-km highway was upgraded to the four lanes from two lanes as per a
modern traffic design, and Tk 6,852.29-crore was spent for implementing the
scheme. There is a 5.5-meter width separate lane on both sides of the highway
for slow-moving vehicles and a five-meter width median in the middle of the
highway.
And arrangements have been made for construction of metro rail and elevated
expressway by using this median.
Besides, there are 54 culverts, 20 underpasses, four big bridges, 25 small
bridges, five flyovers, two interchanges and four railway overpasses.
Due to addition of these facilities, the highway has been turned into an
expressway.
The prime minister later addressed a “Sudhi Samabesh” (civic rally) at Mawa
Golchattar adjacent to Mawa Toll Plaza.
In the afternoon, the prime minister will visit the Janzira side of the
Padma Bridge and first unveil the plaque of the progress work of the bridge
there.
She will later inaugurate the construction work of the rail link (Janzira
side).
Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, will then go to Shibchar
and address a public meeting to be organized by her party at Iliyas Ahmed
Chowdhury Ferry Ghat at Kathalbari in Shibchar upazila.