Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday said work on the main structure of the much-hyped Padma Multipurpose Bridge will begin by June this year.
“Technical evaluation of the main work on the Padma Bridge is at the final stage. Work order will be issued in June after the evaluation and the river training work will begin in August,” he said while addressing a press briefing at Setu Bhaban in the city.
Obaidul Quader said there is no confusion over the financing of the Padma Bridge. “It’ll be constructed by the government’s own fund. Don’t do politics with the bridge as it is the bridge of the country’s people. It’s a dream bridge for the people.”
He informed that three companies have submitted tender for the work as per the pre-qualification of the World Bank adding that the expenditure of the main bridge — road and rail — will be US$ 1,329.30 million.
The minister said five companies submitted tender today (Thursday) for river training which will cost SU$ 777.20 million.
He further said the Water Development Board has taken a project involving Tk 90 crore to check river erosion in Mawa point of the Padma. “International tender will be invited next time costing Tk 700 crore for the long-term sustainability of the project.”
Source: UNB Connect
