Construction of Padma Bridge
JICA submits final report
UNB, Dhaka
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday submitted its final feasibility study report on construction of the much-expected 6.1-km-long Padma Bridge to the government, projecting its positive impacts.It will take primarily 54 months to complete the construction work of the bridge, involving Tk 7,500 crore as project cost, the feasibility study shows. With railway attached to the bridge, the cost will increase 13 per cent. JICA Resident Representative Akio Ari formally handed over the report to Communications Minister Nazmul Huda at the ministry. "The proposed Padma Bridge will bring about a revolutionary change in Bangladesh's economy and expansion of regional trade," JICA resident representative Akio Ari was quoted as saying during submission of the report. During the meeting with the JICA team, Huda said the construction work of the bridge will begin in 2007 if continuity of the government can be maintained. The meeting was apprised that various donor countries and international financiers, including Japan, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, DFID and JBIC, have expressed their willingness to fund the gigantic project. A six-member advisory council led by JICA Study Team leader Minoru Shibuya and a team of 26 experts conducted the feasibility study.
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