Bangladesh
Padma Bridge project ends, final cost stands at Tk 31,000 crore.

Padma Bridge project ends, final cost stands at Tk 31,000 crore

Bangladesh

The Padma Bridge Project was formally ended on Sunday (June 30), around 15 years after it was taken in August 2009. All the works of the project have been winded up.

The Padma Bridge, the largest bridge in the country, was opened to traffic in June 2022. The bridge has established direct connection between the capital Dhaka and southern region of the country after various incidents including the World Bank's withdrawal from financing the bridge, allegation of corruption, and subsequently, construction of the bridge with the country's own money.

All the works of the bridge were completed in March last. Activities were going on to finish the works of the project on papers. Finally, all the works came to an end on Sunday.

So, the authorities extended the deadline up to June 30 this year, with a one-year defect liability period.

"Yes, the much-talked-about project has been completed on Sunday. We have tried our best to accomplish the work, and now people will judge our effort," Project Director Shafiqul Islam said on Sunday afternoon.

It is learnt that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit the Padma Bridge on July 5 and formally declare the conclusion of the project at a programme at Mawa end of the bridge.

When the project was taken in August 2009, the cost of the project was Tk 10,161 crore and it was supposed to be implemented with foreign loan.

The project went through several revisions afterwards and the cost rose to Tk 32,605 crore.

However, some Tk 1,600 crore may not be required, Shafiqul said, adding that the cost of the project would be around Tk 31,000 crore.