With the Padma Multipurpose Bridge scheduled for inauguration in the last week of June, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has already formed 18 preparatory committees and sub-committees to celebrate the completion of the mega project.
The committees will undertake a massive campaign with an eye to the inauguration program, and ensure security, technical support and other relevant tasks.
“Preparations for the inauguration ceremony of Padma Bridge will be completed in a month,” Quazi Mohammad Ferdous, BBA chief engineer, told Dhaka Tribune on Thursday.
“We expect Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to be physically present during the inauguration ceremony on the bank of the Padma River,” he said.
Earlier, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that the Padma Bridge would certainly be inaugurated in the last week of June. “But the date will be finalized after the Prime Minister fixes the day,” said Quader, who is also the ruling Awami League general secretary.
According to officials, the construction of the main bridge will be completed by May as 98% of work on it has already been done. However, the overall progress of the project is 93.5% since work on river training has been delayed.
Preparations for celebrations
The authorities have planned to launch a commemorative currency note and silver coin on the occasion of the inauguration of the bridge through the Bangladesh Bank (BB). The commemorative note will be available by June.
On the other hand, the finalization of the design of the silver coin is underway and officials hope it will be launched by December through an international tender process.
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Meanwhile, commemorative stamps and inaugural envelopes will be issued ahead of the occasion, said officials. The Department of Posts and Telecommunications has taken necessary steps in this regard.
Besides, all medians on the highway stretching from Dhaka to Faridpur will be decorated with posters, banners, leaflets, PVC display boards and festoons. Officials said they would collect sponsors in this regard.
Latest update on construction work
Officials concerned say now it is possible for vehicles to be driven across the bridge.
The work of carpeting on the bridge has been completed. Except for railing and road markings on the bridge, all the other works have already been completed.
The installation of the railing on the bridge will also be done before the inauguration.
However, 12.3km railings will be installed gradually on both sides of the 6.15km-long-bridge on three-foot-high walls. The power sub-station edifice will be completed by next year.
Besides, river training work will continue for another year. About 9% of the river training work under the project is still incomplete.
The construction of the bridge began in November 2015 with the aim of connecting the country’s south-western region with the capital via road and rail.
The project cost rose to Tk30,193 crore in 2021 after several revisions. Rail tracks will be set up on the lower deck of the two-storey Padma Bridge at a cost of some Tk40,000 crore.
The Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway leading to the bridge has been constructed at Tk11,000 crore.
To develop connectivity with the road and rail network to the south-western regions of the country, the government’s expenditure is over Tk80,000 crore to date.