PM directs advancing second Padma, Jamuna bridges

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed officials to expedite plans for building a second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge and the Padma Barrage.

The directive came during a meeting with officials from the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to the Prime Minister's Assistant Press Secretary, Gazi Shahriar Pamir.

Feasibility studies for both bridges are currently underway. Final decisions on their locations, designs and estimated costs will be taken after the studies conclude in September next year.

Officials discussed a proposed Y-shaped connectivity system for the second Padma Bridge to ease communication between Dhaka and the south-western region. Once built, the bridge will also provide an alternative network connecting Mongla Seaport with the Benapole and Darshana land ports.

For the second Jamuna Bridge, officials emphasised improving connectivity to Rangpur and other northern districts.

Discussions on the Padma Barrage project focused on addressing dry-season water shortages, increasing agricultural production, maintaining river flows and environmental balance, and exploring road connectivity through the barrage. 

The meeting also reviewed project financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among ministries and agencies.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam attended the meeting alongside State Ministers Mir Shahe Alam, Habibur Rashid, Forhad Hossain Azad and Md Razib Ahsan. 

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Bridges Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Water Resources Secretary Dr AKM Shahabuddin, Road Transport Secretary Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque, Water Resources Additional Secretary Md Enamul Haque, Bangladesh Bridge Authority Director Md Bhikharuddaula Chowdhury and Chief Engineer Md Abul Hossain, Roads and Highways Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman and Padma Barrage Project Director Hasan Mahmud were also present.

Source: BSS