PM pushes for second Padma, Jamuna bridges and barrage

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to expedite plans for constructing a second Padma Bridge with a Y-shaped connection, a second Jamuna Bridge prioritising connectivity in Rangpur and other northern regions, and the Padma Barrage.

He gave the directives at a meeting with officials of the concerned ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister's Office in Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday (November 3) afternoon.

Assistant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Shahriar Pamir disclosed the information.

He said, feasibility studies for the proposed second Padma and Jamuna bridges were underway. Final decisions on their locations, designs and estimated costs would be made after the studies are completed in September next year.

The meeting held detailed discussions on the proposed Y-shaped connection for the second Padma Bridge. In the case of the second Jamuna Bridge, priority was given to improving connectivity with Rangpur and other parts of northern Bangladesh.

The second Padma Bridge is expected to improve connectivity between the capital and the southwestern region. It would also provide alternative transport links to Mongla Seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.

The meeting also discussed the Padma Barrage project, focusing on addressing dry-season water shortages, boosting agricultural production, maintaining river flows and ecological balance, and exploring the possibility of establishing road connectivity through the barrage.

Financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies were also discussed, the assistant press secretary said.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Railways and Road Transport and Highways Division State Minister Habibur Rashid, Water Resources State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, Shipping Ministry and Bridges Division State Minister Md Rajib Ahsan, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder and other senior officials attended the meeting.

-MT