Padma Bridge to connect Rajbari and Pabna, says state minister

State Minister for Cultural Affairs and Rajbari-1 MP Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam has said a Y-shaped second Padma Bridge will be built to connect Rajbari and Pabna.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had announced the project after years of campaigning for a Padma barrage and a second bridge over the river.

“I have been campaigning for the Padma barrage and the second Padma Bridge since 1993. After 34 years, the prime minister has announced that a Y-shaped Padma Bridge will connect Rajbari and Pabna,” he said.

He added that work on the Padma barrage had already begun and the prime minister had formally approved the start of activities for the second Padma Bridge.

Khaiyam made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Rajbari district BNP at the Rajbari Poura Community Centre at 4:00 PM on Saturday, marking November 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

The state minister said the implementation of the Padma barrage and the second bridge would open new opportunities for the people of Rajbari.

Referring to the country's development challenges, he said Bangladesh faced widespread problems, including damaged roads and extortion in different areas. These challenges could not be resolved overnight, he added.

He said his visits to different districts as state minister had shown him a deteriorated situation across the country, arguing that little development had taken place over the past 20 years.

“Bangladesh must be rebuilt. We have to put the country back on track under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” he said.

Outlining development plans for Rajbari, Khaiyam said efforts were under way to establish what he described as the country's largest railway workshop in the district.

He also said there were plans to form a new upazila by reorganising Rajbari Sadar's 14 unions, bringing five unions under the proposed upazila.

He urged people to remain united and said no conspiracy should be allowed to weaken them.

The meeting was chaired by former district BNP convener Naim Ansari and moderated by former district BNP office secretary A Majid Biswas.

Among others, former district BNP member secretary ABM Manjurul Alam Dulal, district Jubo Dal convener Khairul Anam Bakul, district Krishak Dal convener Ayubur Rahman Ayub, district Sramik Dal general secretary Shah Alam, district Olama Dal general secretary Hafiz Lokman Hossain, district Mohila Dal general secretary Yasmin Akter Piya and district Chhatra Dal senior joint convener Omar Faruk spoke at the meeting.

Speakers also discussed the history, background and significance of November 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

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