The expenditure on river management of Padma multi-purpose bridge has been increased by one more step. New expenditure in this sector has been increased by 249 crores 42 lakhs 52 thousand 349 taka. In this, the cost of river management of Padma Bridge has increased to 9 thousand 834 crore 77 lakh 45 thousand 349 taka.
Saturday (29June 2024), the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement meeting approved the proposal to increase the expenditure again. Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali chaired this meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement. At the end of the meeting, the Secretary of Coordination and Reform of the Cabinet Department. Mahmudul Hossain Khan told this information to reporters.
The final tender for river management work adjacent to Padma Bridge was accepted on 19th June 2014. On the recommendation of the Tender Evaluation Committee, the Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement meeting on September 10 of that year approved the proposal regarding the appointment of the Chinese contractor Sinohydro Corporation for the river management work of the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge construction project.
After the approval of the proposal, the contract was signed with Sinohydro Corporation on 10 November 2014 to complete the construction work within 48 months. The contract price of which is 8 thousand 707 crore 81 lakh 41 thousand 446 taka. Later the time was extended several times. Korea Expressway Corporation & Associates has been engaged as construction supervision consultant to supervise this work.
After the vehicular movement started through the Padma Bridge in September last year, the river management cost of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge was increased by Tk 877 crore 53 lakh 51 thousand 553. In this, including VAT and taxes, the cost of river management of Padma Bridge has increased to 9 thousand 585 crore 34 lakh 93 thousand taka. Now in the second phase, the cost of river management of Padma Bridge has been increased by 249 crores 42 lakhs 52 thousand 349 taka. The total expenditure increased to 9 thousand 834 crores 77 lakh 45 thousand 349 taka.
A pre-feasibility study of the dream Padma Bridge was conducted during 1998-1999 with the funding of the Government of Bangladesh. Japan’s JICA completed a self-funded feasibility study in 2003-05. In 2006, plans for land acquisition, rehabilitation and environmental management were funded by the Government of Bangladesh. Detailed design was prepared during 2009-11. New Zealand-based Monsell Acom designs the entire bridge. Land acquisition process started. It is financed by ADB and Bangladesh Government.
In June 2012, the World Bank canceled their loan. In July of the same year, the Bangladesh government decided to build the Padma Bridge with its own funding. On June 17, 2014, an agreement was signed with China Major Bridge Engineering Company Limited for the construction of the main bridge. The main construction of the bridge began on November 26 of that year. On December 12, 2015, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the much-awaited Padma Bridge at Mawa, Munshiganj.
Then on September 30, 2017, the first span of the bridge was installed. The last span was laid on December 10, 2020. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Bridge on 25 June 2022. The next day, on June 26, the Padma bridge opened for traffic.
Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project has been implemented by Bangladesh Bridge Authority. The main bridge work was done by China Major Bridge Engineering Company Limited. The length of the main bridge is 6.15 km. Its approach road is 12.117 km. The viaduct is 3.148 km (road) and 532 m (rail).
Visits: 3
