Prime Minister and, also the Leader of the House, Sheikh Hasina, has vowed to complete the construction work of Padma Bridge before 2018.
She made the commitment while speaking at the question-answer session of the national Parliament on Wednesday.
She said: "We have launched the work on the 6.15-kilometer bridge through our own funding, and relevant works have already been finished. There would be our efforts to complete the bridge before 2018."
The Leader of the House said her government wants to give shape to the bridge as a world class one. "We want to set an example in the world by constructing the bridge," she said
Sheikh Hasina said the double-decked bridge has also a provision of plying trains and the rail line would go up to Mongla Port and the under-construction Paira Bandar in Patuakhali would also get its benefit.
"It is a specialized task that will need time," she said.
Highlighting the background of construction of the bridge, the Leader of the House said her previous government during its tenure from 1996-2001 had carried out a feasibility study on the project.
"We laid the foundation stone of the bridge at Mawa point in 2001. But the BNP-Jamaat alliance government after coming to power conducted another feasibility study to build the bridge at Paturia point delaying its construction," she said.
In this connection, she mentioned that the concerned firm submitted the feasibility study to the government suggesting construction of the bridge at Mawa point.
The Prime Minister said after assuming office in 2009, the last Awami League government took initiative again to construct the bridge.
As per the election manifesto of the Awami League, she said, the construction of the main Padma Bridge would begin in June/July of the current year.
The Leader of the House said the technical evaluation for appointing contractor for river training work has been finished.
"Financial proposal has been sought and the last date for submitting the proposal is June 19," she said.
The Leader of the House also said the government has a plan to start the work on the second Padma Bridge during its tenure.
