PM orders plans advanced for second Padma and Jamuna bridges and the Padma Barrage

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed that the plans for a second Jamuna bridge, the Padma Barrage and a Y-shaped second Padma bridge be moved forward. The directive gives priority to improving communications with the country's northern region.

He gave the instruction on Tuesday afternoon (3 November) at a meeting with officials of the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat.

The meeting was told that feasibility studies for the second Padma and Jamuna bridges are under way. Once the studies are completed in September next year, the location, design and cost of the two bridges will be finalised.

For the second Padma bridge, a Y-shaped connection system was discussed. Once built, the bridge would ease travel between the capital and the south-western region and create alternative links with Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.

For the second Jamuna bridge, priority has been given to developing communications with the northern region, including Rangpur.

The meeting also discussed construction of the Padma Barrage. Talks covered tackling dry-season water shortages, raising farm production, preserving river flow and environmental balance, and the possibility of building a road over the barrage.

Financing of the projects, land acquisition, resettlement and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies also came up at the meeting.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Shipping and the Bridges Division Md Rajib Ahsan and senior officials of the relevant ministries and agencies attended the meeting.