‘Defects’ in rail link of Padma Bridge project!
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Photo: Collected
Back from Padma Rail Link Project: Recently, the Padma Bridge Project Authority(PBPA) objected that there was a defect in the railway line of the Padma Bridge. As a result, big truck-covered vans will not be able to get on and off at the two ends of the bridge.
However, the two ministers of the government do not agree with the word 'defect' which is being mentioned on both sides of the bridge. They said that if there is any ‘defect’ in the railway line of Padma bridge should not be commented in this way without taking the opinion of experts.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan and Planning Minister MA Mannan said this while visiting the Padma Rail Link project area by road from Dhaka on Thursday (September 24).
There are allegations that the PBPA has objected that the Railways did not provide the headroom at the height of the railway line in some parts above the Padma Bridge on both sides of Mawa and Jajira. The country's road headroom standard is horizontal 15 meters and vertical 5.8 meters which was not followed in the construction of this bridge. In this situation, trucks and covered vans will be prevented from going to the bridge.
Meanwhile, on the spot, Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said, It is not yet certain whether there is any defect as being talked about. However, such a big national project, which needs to be adjusted at the time of implementation and at the time of ascent and descent of the bridge, if there is to be any kind of adjustment, we must make an adjustment. All in all, we don't want to make any mistakes.
He added: I don't think there are any major flaws here. However, those who will solve this problem have asked for a design from the Roads and Highways (RHD) authorities and a design from the railway authorities. The problem will be solved only after getting these two designs.
On the other hand, while inspecting the Mawa section, the Planning Minister M.A. Mannan said about the shortcomings of the Rail Link project, It is a national issue and is being viewed in a very important way nationally. However, we do not agree with the word ‘defect’. The defect will only occur when the expert's final opinion is obtained which is in the process. But some doubts have arisen. Step by step there can be more problems in such a big project. We also know the way to solve it. We have our own engineers, everyone is working together. But now we can't say for sure about the defect.
Brigadier Ahmed Jamil Islam, Project Manager, Mawa- Bhanga Section, Padma Bridge Rail Project, said, but we have 6.7 meter more than that in the Mawa part which is based on our current design of R & H. Horizontal clearance is as much a standard here as a road needs to be. Padma Bridge project wants 15.5. They may have an argument for that. However, we will gradually resolve the issue through the Interface Committee. There is no problem with vertical clearance here. But we have a little problem with the consensus on 15.5 horizontal clearances. We will look at the technical side, we will solve the issue sitting with the Padma Bridge project.'
He added, meanwhile, horizontal clearance has been given 15.5 from the Padma Bridge project at the Jazira end which we had before 13.9. It is being made 15.5 by modifying our design. Vertical clearance was required 5.6. We currently have 5.3. It will also be given 5.8 vertical clearances by design modification. But it won't cost much.
Shafiqul Islam, project director of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, who objected about the ‘defect’, said, we have written a letter objecting to the defect. Now we are discussing. That will be resolved.
It is mentioned here that the length of the two-tiered steel and concrete Padma Bridge will be 6.15 km. There will be a four-lane road at the top of the Padma Bridge and a railway at the bottom. This is a challenging construction project for Bangladesh.
