First boulder consignment reaches for Padma bridge construction

The first-ever consignment of boulder stone, to be used in the construction of Padma Multipurpose Bridge has reached in Bangladesh recently.

Bangladesh Foundry and Engineering Works Limited imported around 228 tonnes of black boulder stone from Jharkhand in India through Hili Land Port in Dinajpur.

The product reached in Bangladesh on Wednesday and is now stored at Panama Link Port in Dinajpur, Hili Land Custom Station Assistant Commissioner Saifur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“The product will be released within a day or two after necessary verifications,” he added.

The product exported by Kolkata-based M/S Krishna Traders will be used for river protection works during the Padma Bridge construction, said officials concerned.

The construction of the Padma Bridge will require around 70 lakh tonnes of big-sized hard rock in the next four years.

Among them, state-owned Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Ltd in Dinajpur is set to provide around 30% of the total requirement.

The government has signed an agreement with the China Major Bridge Engineering Company (CMBEC) for the construction of around 6.15km main part of the bridge. Another Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation Limited was appointed for river training work.

Earlier on June 24, the government has provided duty-free access to Bhutan for importing of boulder stone.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) made the decision in reply to the request made by Bhutan for supply of the big rock stone for construction in Padma Bridge. Earlier, Bhutan supplied boulder stone in construction of Bangabandhu Bridge in Jamuna River.

Burimari Land Port C&F Agents Association President Ruhul Amin Babul last week told the Dhaka Tribune that importers could use the port for import of the product using the duty-free benefit.

Some importers has already started processing of boulder stone import from neighboring Bhutan after he tax authorities waived the duty on the import of boulder stone, he added.