PM Directs Officials to Advance Plans for Second Padma-Jamuna Bridges and Padma Barrage
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to move forward with plans to construct the second Padma and Jamuna bridges, along with the Padma Barrage. The plan includes constructing the second Padma Bridgep in a Y-shaped design, while giving special priority to improving connectivity in Rangpur and other northern districts through the second Jamuna Bridge.
He gave the directive at a meeting with officials from the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday (November 3).
The meeting was informed that feasibility studies for the second Padma and second Jamuna bridges are underway. Final decisions on the locations, designs and estimated project costs will be made after the studies are completed in September next year.
The meeting held detailed discussions on the proposed Y-shaped connection system for the second Padma Bridge. Meanwhile, priority was given to improving connectivity in Rangpur and other northern districts through the second Jamuna Bridge.
Once constructed, the second Padma Bridge will make communication between the southwestern region and the capital easier. It will also establish an alternative connectivity network with Mongla Seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports. This could create new opportunities for goods transportation and trade in the southwestern region.
The meeting also discussed plans to construct the Padma Barrage. The discussions covered addressing water shortages during the dry season, increasing agricultural production, maintaining the river’s natural flow and environmental balance, as well as exploring the possibility of establishing road connectivity over the barrage.
The meeting also discussed financing, land acquisition and rehabilitation, and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies for implementing the projects.
Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam; State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid; State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad; and State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Division Md. Rajib Ahsan attended the meeting.
Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Majumder, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf, Water Resources Ministry Secretary Dr. A.K.M. Shahabuddin, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, and senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies were also present.
