Padma Bridge to be completed by Dec 2013

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain yesterday categorically said the construction of long cherished Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) would be completed within December 2013.
“On completion, the Padma Bridge is expected to contribute an additional 1.2 per cent growth to Syed Abul Hossain was speaking at a presentation on design of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge held at Hotel Sheraton in the city.
Secretary, Bridges Division of Ministry of Communication (MoC) M Abdul Karim chaired the function. Project Manager of Maunsell AECOM Ltd Ken Wheeler made a power point presentation on ‘Design Inception Report’ of PMB.
Syed Abul Hossain said the construction work of the main bridge and the river training work may start on Sept 30, 2010. “It will be completed during the present government’s tenure as per directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
He said the construction of a bridge over the mighty river Padma was a long cherished dream of the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“It is not only for economic growth of South and South Western region of the country but also contribute a lot to the overall development of rural Bangladesh,” he said.
Referring to new time bound target to begin the grand task of the construction of Padma Bridge, the communications minister said the government will engage NGOs to implement the resettlement plan on May 11, 2009.
Besides, scheme design will be submitted on 18 June to be approved by June 25. Pre-qualification documents for the main bridge tenders will be provided on July 27.
Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Communication Engr Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BRAC University VC Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz, Secretary Roads and Railway Division of MoC ASM Ali Kabir, Agriculture Secretary CQK Mostaqe Ahmed and ERD Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan also spoke on the occasion.
Syed Abul Hossain said commencement of resettlement plan would be on September 24. Pre-qualification document for the river training works will be provided on Nov 26.
Besides, tenders will be invited for main bridge from pre- qualified bidders on January 14, 2010. Tenders for the river training work will be invited on April 15, 2010, he added.
“The dream of Bangabandhu started seeing light at the end of the tunnel after the foundation of the proposed Padma Bridge was laid at Mawa point by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 4, 2001”, Abul Hossain said.
“Unfortunately, no significant progress took place during the last seven years,” the minister added.
A total of Taka 147 crore will be sent to Madaripur district administration for land acquisition and resettlement within a week, the minister said adding that Shariatpur district will receive Taka 135 crore by June and Munshiganj Taka 415 crore by July in this purpose.
Syed Abul Hossain said the Padma Bridge will greatly help to reduce economic gaps among the people of various regions of Bangladesh as envisioned by Bangabandhu.”

Courtesy of  The New Nation