Sunday marks the first anniversary of Bangladesh's cherished dream, the Padma Bridge.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on this day last year, brought the bridge to life by embarking on a momentous journey to Mawa for the first time.
The following day, June 26, 2022, the Padma Bridge was officially opened to the public.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dedicated this monumental structure to the people of Bangladesh.
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She declared that the Padma Bridge is not just a concrete infrastructure of brick, cement, steel, and iron, rather this is a symbol of the nation's pride, honour, and ability.
“The bridge belongs to the people of Bangladesh. It showcases our passion, our creativity, our courage, our endurance, and our perseverance,” she said.
On the first day of the bridge being opened to traffic, thousands of commuters rushed to use the first land route across the Padma River.
Setting world records amidst challenges
The construction of Padma Bridge is considered to be the most challenging construction project in the history of Bangladesh. In many ways, the bridge had made its way to world records as well.
The steel truss bridge carries a four-lane highway on the upper level and a single-track railway on the lower level.
The bridge consists of 41 sections, each 150.12 metre long and 22 metre wide, with a total length of 6.15km.
Built on the Padma-Brahmaputra-Meghna river basin, the mega structure is the longest bridge in Bangladesh.
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It is also the longest bridge over the river Ganges by both span and total length, and features the highest pile depth of any bridge in the world at 120m.
It is the deepest bridge in the world, with piles installed as deep as 127 metres. The construction of the bridge was considered to be especially challenging due to the width and depth of the Padma River.
The Padma Bridge is expected to boost the GDP of Bangladesh by as much as 1.23%.
History behind the mega project
In 1971, a group of survey experts from Japan submitted a feasibility report for the construction of the Dhaka-Faridpur road near East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), according to a report in the daily Purbodesh newspaper.
As part of the construction of the road, they suggested building a bridge over the Padma River. After independence, Bangladesh's first president, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, announced the construction of a bridge over the Padma River. But he did not get the opportunity to implement it.
In 1998, the Bangladesh government took the initiative to build the Padma Bridge.
Also Read: Timeline: Padma Bridge's journey from a vision to reality
Bangabandhu Bridge was inaugurated on June 23, 1998, in the Jamuna River. At that time, an initiative was taken to build a bridge over the Padma to facilitate communication with the southwestern part of the country.
On June 4, 2001, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the project.
After 25 long years, on June 25 last year, the dream bridge was inaugurated.
Vigorous security facilities
Padma Bridge, the country's top infrastructure, is under strict security since its inauguration.
From the day of the official opening of the bridge, members of the Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh Police, and Bangladesh Ansar forces have been busy ensuring the security of the bridge area along with all the intelligence agencies of the country.
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Members of other security forces are working in coordination with army personnel throughout the bridge area.
Additionally, CCTV cameras have been installed above and below the bridge, the river, and its surrounding roads.
Padma Bridge's Total Construction Cost
The construction cost of the Padma bridge is Tk30,193.39 crore.
The amount includes - the construction of bridge infrastructure, river management, link roads, land acquisition, rehabilitation, salaries, and allowances etc.
According to the agreement of the Bridge Division with the Finance Division of Bangladesh, the government gave a loan of Tk29,893 crore for the construction of the bridge.
Toll collected in a year
A Bridges Division source has reported that the toll collected on Padma Bridge in the past year has surpassed Tk800 crore.
Between June 26, 2022, and March 31 of this year, a total of Tk603 crore in tolls was collected on Padma Bridge during a span of nine months.
In the subsequent three months, specifically April, May, and the first 20 days of June, approximately Tk200 crore was collected in tolls.
Hence, the overall toll collection on Padma Bridge has exceeded Tk800 crore.
Also Read: First woman motorcyclist to cross Padma Bridge
On the other hand, according to the sources of the Cabinet Division, the Padma Bridge authority has so far paid Tk6,329 crore of the total debt in four installments.
In line with a revised agreement with the finance division on June 26, 2022, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) will repay the loan in 35 years through 140 installments (four installments each year). The repayment will continue up to the fiscal year 2056-57.
Agricultural advancements
The unfortunate tales of countless vehicles laden with perishable agricultural goods, often stranded in the Padma River due to ferry crises, weather complications, or traffic congestion, are not unknown to any.
Farmers, in particular, have borne the brunt of these challenges, facing inadequate returns for their products.
However, with the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the narrative has taken a turn.
Linking 21 districts, this monumental project has steered a new era for agriculture.
Now, the transportation of agricultural produce has become easier, as what used to be hours of travel has been condensed to mere minutes.
Experts note that agriculture has undergone massive changes with the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.