Dream of millions becomes true

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by Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo

DHAKA, 10, 2020 (BSS) – With the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina the dream of millions of people of the country has
become true as the last span of the long-cherished Padma Bridge was installed
today making the entire structure of the multi-purpose bridge visible.

The government is optimistic that the Padma Bridge will boost the GDP
(Gross Domestic Product) by 1.5-2 percent, as all the 41 spans have already
been installed and the 6.15km long bridge has become fully visible.

The Padma Multipurpose Bridge will change the economic landscape of
southwestern Bangladesh, as well as it will connect many countries of South
and Southeast Asia and contribute to communication, trade, industry, tourism
and many other sectors in various ways, an economist told BSS.

He said authorities have successfully installed all of the 41 spans on the
concrete pillars today after overcoming many hurdles. The construction of all
approach roads on both sides of the bridge, having 41 spans and 42 pillars,
has been completed, while other components are also falling into place
steadily.

“We are working hard to open the bridge to the commuters with assuring
quality,” Md Shafiqul Islam, project director of Padma Multipurpose Bridge,
told BSS.

Political experts projected that with the implementation of Padma Bridge
project, the pledges of the Awami League government led by Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina were fulfilled.

They said that the Padma Bridge is the largest construction infrastructure
since the independence of Bangladesh initiated by the dynamic and visionary
leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) officials, some 22 meters
wide concrete deck slab (2.5 meters hard shoulder on the both side) with 4
lane road on upper deck, while a single track dual gauge rail will be
constructed on lower deck. The deck height is 13.6 meters. The bridge is
being built with 760mm dia Gas Transmission Line, 150mm dia Fiber optical &
Telephone Duct, High voltage Electric Line, Platform in River over Pile
Foundation at 2km downstream of 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, they said.

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

The estimated cost for construction of the bridge is Taka 301933.88
million. The first span of the Padma Bridge was installed at the Janjira
point of Shariatpur on October 7, 2017.

This was followed by the installation of the second span on January 28,
2018. The third span was installed on March 11, 2018. The fourth and fifth
spans of the bridge were installed on May 13 and June 29 respectively.

Talking to BSS, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said
spans were installed one after another to open the bridge for commuters.

He visited Mawa point and Janjira point several times to inspect
construction works of the mega project.

Quader said the government, for the first time, is implementing such a
mega project like Padma Bridge, which became possible under the credible
leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“It seemed that the dream of millions of people, especially those in the
southern region of the country, has become true,” he added.

Along with Bangladeshis, Chinese, American, British, Indian and Japanese
nationals are working round the clock on the project. The southern region
will become the country’s biggest economic zone after opening of the Padma
Bridge.

The world’s largest floating crane, Tian-e, carried every span from the
specialized construction yard from the specialized workshop at Kumarbhogh,
Mawa at Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj and installed spans on different
pillars one after another.