Work on Padma Bridge to start in FY 2008-09
Donors so far pledged $1b, says adviser
Staff Correspondent
The construction work of the Padma Bridge will commence in 2008-09 fiscal year with three donor agencies having so far committed to provide around $1 billion as project loan to the government.This was disclosed at a meeting at communications ministry with its Adviser MA Matin in the chair yesterday. The donors are the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC). The government has planned to construct the bridge spending Tk 8,588 crore out of which Tk 5,883 crore would come as project loan from the donors and the rest from the government fund, meeting sources said. Earlier, Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica) conducted a survey and recommended Mawa-Jajira point as the most suitable place for constructing the bridge. The length of the bridge with four lanes would be around 5.58 kilometres. The bridge would be constructed in cable extra dodged method with rail lines. The people of 19 southern districts would be benefited through the bridge. The communications adviser at the meeting asked the officials to work hard so that the construction work of the bridge can be started on time. Communications Secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman and Executive Director of Jamuna Bridge Authority Khan Mohammad Ibrahim were present at the meeting.
| 
