NARAYANGANJ, July 2: Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday dismissed concerns over the removal of soil beneath the viaduct of the Padma Rail Link Project in Narayanganj's Aliganj, saying the work poses no threat to the structure and would instead have a positive environmental impact.
Speaking while inspecting the removal of a temporary earthen road beneath the viaduct in Fatullah, the minister said the excavation was part of the project's original plan and that rumours suggesting the viaduct had been put at risk were baseless.
He explained that the area beneath the viaduct had originally been a natural waterbody. During construction, the waterbody was temporarily filled to facilitate the movement of construction materials and equipment. With the completion of the construction work, the temporary earth-fill is now being removed as planned.
"The viaduct is not under threat because of this work. Rather, the soil is being removed to protect the viaduct and restore the natural environment," he said.
"There is no negative impact from removing the soil beneath the viaduct. On the contrary, it will have positive effects by restoring the area's natural water flow and ecological balance," he added.
The minister said work on 14.42 kilometres of the project's 16.76-kilometre section has already been completed. Soil will now be removed from the remaining 2.34 kilometres, with an average excavation depth of about three and a half feet.
He reiterated that the operation would not pose any risk to either the viaduct or the railway tracks and was necessary to restore the area's natural drainage system and environmental balance.
The entire structure is engineeringly sound, he said, adding that the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Railway are implementing the work according to the approved plan in the national interest.
State Minister for Road Transport and Railways Habibur Rahman, Railways Secretary Fahimul Islam, Project Director Brig Gen Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sayem, Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Narayanganj Zila Parishad Administrator Prof Mamun Mahmud, Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman Munshi, and other officials were also present during the inspection.
