A dream bridge: an epic on roaring Padma



Mansura Chamily, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Padma Bridge

Padma Bridge

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The 41st span was span on piers 12 and 13 of the Padma Bridge. The much-coveted 6.15 km. Padma Bridge stood up. At the same time, another 'story of historical victory' was written on the heart of roaring Padma in the month of victory.

2 minutes passed 12 noon, Thursday, December 10; the day cannot be called historic. The story of this victory over Padma was written on July 10, 2012. When the World Bank withdrew from the Padma Bridge project due to allegations of corruption, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina announced the construction of the Padma Bridge on her own. Then came the day of today's success by composing an epic with so many criticisms, rumors, obstacles, success in bringing the omnivorous Padma to the bag.

The installation of the first span on the Padma Bridge started on September 30, 2017. 41 spans in three years! There was an atmosphere of excitement on the banks of the Padma today surrounding the installation of the last 41st span. There will be uproar; some of these people on the shores have lost everything in the floodwaters of the Padma year after year. Today, they see that the 'One Victory Flag' has been set up after losing in the turbulent Padma.

However, the wave of people on the banks of the Padma began on December 12, 2015. Since the inauguration of the construction work on that day, there was a lot of interest among the people about the construction work of the bridge. Since then, people in the south-western region, including the banks of the Padma, have been dreaming about the bridge. So today is not only historic for them, but also important in many ways!

However, the credit for this success goes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government. As a result of her firm commitment of the Prime Minister, Bangladesh is at the end of a huge task today, overcoming various criticisms and inaccessible paths. She has overcome the geographical division of the south-western part of the country by removing the accusation of corruption.

‘The Padma Bridge is the bridge of our pride. The government has done a great job. It is unthinkable that the bridge is becoming real. We have been selling fruits at Mawa Ghat for 15 years. If there is a bridge, I may not be able to stay here. But the Padma Bridge is the pride of that dash. How many people will benefit. I'm not going to eat one at a time. I can't express how happy I am to have a bridge. '

Anwar Hossain, a fruit seller at Mawa Ghat, expressed his views to the reporter while reporting on the construction of the Padma Bridge. Today, perhaps, many people like Anwar Hossain are proud to see the scene of crossing the two banks of the huge Padma from a distance. Well, is this dream victory just a matter of pride, or is this story of a long journey raising the head of Bangladesh once again in the heart of the world. It informed the whole world that the country of 17 crore people can not only dream, but can also fulfill it by raising its head.

Traffic on the Padma Bridge on the eve of golden jubilee of Independence Day:

In the rainy season, the Padma is rough with strong waves, in the summer the Norwester is reddening and in the winter, the river route is hampered by the fog; These are the constant companions of the people of the south-west to cross the Padma. The dream has become a bridge! The rest of the ancillary work, just one more year to wait. The government has announced that traffic on the Padma Bridge will be opened in December 2021, the golden jubilee of independence.

The Padma Bridge became visible on September 30, 2015 with the installation of the first span on pillars 37 and 38. Today, with the installation of the 41st span, the Mawa end of Munshiganj and the Jazira end of Shariatpur have been connected. Through this, the way of easy communication of Dhaka with 29 districts of south and south-west is being opened. And the people on the banks of the Padma and in the south-west will now be waiting for the 'geographical division' to end.

These spans were installed on 42 piers or pillars in the two-storey Padma bridge. Trains will run through the span and vehicles will run through. According to a survey by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), about 24,000 vehicles will pass through the Padma Bridge daily.

In the meantime, various development initiatives are underway in the south-west centered on the Padma Bridge. Initiatives to set up factories in and around the bridge area are already in sight. The impact of this bridge will be significant in the economy of the country. Economists believe that the country's GDP growth and people's living standards will also increase.

The actual work of the main bridge has progressed 91 percent, river training work 85.50 percent, connecting road and service area work has been completed 100 percent. The overall progress of the project is 82.50 percent. The work of laying separate slabs as part of the construction of rail and carriage roads is in full swing. Moreover, the work of connecting road has been completed long ago.

The connecting road on both banks of the Padma Bridge project is 14 km long. The area of river training is 12 km. Two thousand 917 road slabs will sit on the Padma bridge. One thousand 265 slabs have already been laid. 484 super guards will have to be installed on the bridge connecting Mawa and Jajira. Of these, 310 have been installed. Separate slabs are being laid for rail roads.

The length of the main bridge is 6.15 km. The total length of the bridge is 9.30 km with 3.15 km of approach roads on both sides. The four-lane bridge is 72 feet wide. At the Mawa and Jajira ends of the bridge, the connecting road is divided into two sides for vehicles to get on and off the bridge. It is basically part of the viaduct or shore bridge. The length of this part of the bridge is 3.15 km.

The Padma Bridge was designed by an American multinational engineering firm called ACOM. Construction is being carried out by China Major Bridge Engineering Company (CMBEC), a Chinese contractor. Sino Hydro Corporation of China is working on river training. The Korean Expressway is the bridge and river training consulting firm. Abdul Monem Limited, a Bangladeshi company, and HCM, a Malaysian company, are jointly constructing connecting roads on both banks of the Padma at Mawa and Jajira. The Special Workers Organization of the Bangladesh Army is the consultant for the link road and service area.

Tk. 20,506 crore was estimated by revising the budget of the Padma bridge. In 2018, the expenditure was increased to Tk. 30,193.39 crore. The total cost of the project till December 4 was Tk. 24,115.02 crore. Authorities said the cost could rise further.

   

The King of Bhutan satisfied with the site, wants to come again to Kurigram



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Kurigram
Photo: Barta24

Photo: Barta24

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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan visited the 'Bhutan Special Economic Zone' in the northern district of Kurigram. This was the first visit of a foreign head of state to Kurigram.

On Thursday (March 28) from 1:20 PM to 1:35 PM, the King of Bhutan stayed at the 'Bhutan Special Economic Zone' in Madhavaram village of Dharla bank near Kurigram town.

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon spoke to reporters after leaving the venue after visiting the King of Bhutan Economic Zone. He said the king of Bhutan has agreed to develop this place as an economic zone. He visited the place and liked it. He (King of Bhutan) also said that I myself will come here once more when the work starts. He is satisfied with the space and communication system here.

Quoting the King of Bhutan, Yusuf Harun also said, the King said, the factory will be built here in accordance with the needs of the local people and the needs of the investors. Special emphasis will be given to agriculture and productivity.

During the King's visit to Kurigram, he was accompanied by State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) Sheikh Yusuf Haroon, Member of Parliament for Kurigram 2 Constituency Dr. Hamidul Haque Khandkar, Mayor of Kurigram Municipality Kajiul Islam, Superintendent of Police, Deputy Commissioner and other political leaders and administration officials.

After visiting the proposed Economic Zone site of Kurigram, the King of Bhutan entered Golakganj in the Indian state of Assam through Sonahat land port of Bhurungamari upazila around 3 pm. Bangladesh State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury bid him farewell there. This ended the four-day state visit of the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh.

It is to be noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had announced the establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram in 2015 in a public meeting at Kurigram Government College grounds. In view of this, an economic zone has been designated on the eastern side of the Kurigram-Bhurungamari road, east of the Dharla Bridge at the eastern end of the district town.

Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed the establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram in a bilateral meeting with the King and Queen of Bhutan in London in May 2023. In response to that call, the government of Bhutan came forward. In view of this, Bangladesh government is giving 190 acres of land to Bhutan to establish a special economic zone in Kurigram. An agreement was also signed with the Government of Bangladesh on the establishment of a Special Economic Zone for Bhutan at Kurigram during the ongoing visit of the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh.

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Government has come a long way in rescuing hostages including ships: Foreign Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the government has come a long way to free the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah and 23 sailors.

He said, we are in communication to rescue the sailors. Various activities are being carried out to free them. We continue to work keeping in mind that no harm should come to them. I just want to say that we have come a long way.

The Foreign Minister gave this information in response to questions from journalists at a briefing on contemporary affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (March 28).

Hasan Mahmud said about the food shortage in the ship, food shortage did not happen in the past when the ship was hijacked. After three years of detention, it did not happen. 100 days have not yet passed. Hopefully, it won't happen in this case either.

Note that on March 12, Somali pirates hijacked the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah in the Indian Ocean, 600 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia. After three days, the hostage ship with the sailors was taken to the coast of Somalia. The pirates anchored the ship off the coast of Gadvajiran, Somalia after making two changes of location.

After 9 days of taking the Bangladeshi ship hostage with 23 sailors, Somali pirates contacted the owners.

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Prime Minister’s directives to be proactive in dealing with LDC transition and challenges



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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In 2026, Bangladesh will get to be promoted from the Least Developed Country (LDC) list to a developing country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given instructions on what benefits will be available from abroad and what challenges will be faced. Also, the head of government ordered to be proactive in dealing with the problem from now on.

She gave this instruction at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Thursday (March 28).

The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Sheikh Hasina. At the end of the meeting Minister of Planning Major General (retd.) Abdus Salam and Minister of State for Planning Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarkar gave details in the press conference. At that time, Secretary of Planning Division Satyajit Karmakar and members of Planning Commission were present.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister said that the projects which are in the last stage should be completed by releasing money quickly.

ECNEC meeting approved Chancery House construction project in Egypt. The Prime Minister has asked to keep booths and waiting areas for serving expatriates there. Apart from this, Union Parishad Complex construction projects have also been approved in all districts of Bangladesh. She ordered to complete the work of this project as soon as possible and to preserve the rain water there.

Sheikh Hasina has said that a special system for training women will be kept in the new complex of the Weaving Board. Along with that, she instructed all the upazilas of Kurigram to prevent river erosion and work keeping in mind the risk of erosion in the construction of roads.

It is to be noted that 11 projects at a cost of Tk. 8 thousand 425 crore 51 lakh have been approved in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Out of this, Tk. 7 thousand 939 crore 87 lakh will be available from government funds and 485 crore 64 lakh rupees from project loans.

Approved projects include - Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Complex and Residential Building in Cairo, Egypt, Procurement of 20 Meter Gauge Diesel Electric Locomotive and 150 Meter Gauge Passenger Carriage (1st Revised) for Bangladesh Railways, Kashinathpur-Dashuria-Nator-Rajshahi-Nawabganj-Kansat-Sonamsjid-Baliadighi Border (N-06) Improvement of National Highway to appropriate standard and width (Nawabganj section), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock infrastructure development (1st phase) to increase the capacity of existing government fish farms and fish production, Improvement of Fish Landing Center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox's Bazar District Scheme, Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme of Districts of Greater Rangpur Region, Construction of Union Parishad Complex Building (3rd Phase), Establishment of Comprehensive Cancer, Heart Disease and Kidney Treatment Centers in 8 Divisional Towns Health Services Department (1st Revised) etc.

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‘Bangladeshi Americans are working to strengthen the relationship between the two countries’



News Desk, Barta24.com
Photo: Barta24.com

Photo: Barta24.com

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The US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Ambassador Donald Lu, has highly appreciated the contributions of the Bangladeshi Americans to building the foundations of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Ambassador Lu was addressing as the Guest of Honour a reception hosted by Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the celebration of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.


Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mr. Muhammad Imran delivered the welcome address at the function held at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Mission.

US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu said there are huge number of Bangladeshi Americans in the United States and it’s their strength and tremendous hard work that builds the foundation of the excellent relations between the two countries.


“We are so proud of the work of the Bangladeshi Americans what they do to support the relations between our two great nations,” he said.

In this connection, Mr. Donald Lu referred to Bangladeshi-American entrepreneurs who have excelled in different fields with their unique and innovative ideas.

The US Assistant Secretary of State concluded his remarks by saying, “Happy Birthday Bangladesh and Joy Bangla”.


In his welcome remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador Muhammad Imran extended heartfelt greetings to all Bangladeshi people living at home at abroad on the occasion of the great Independence and National Day.

He also paid deep homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and three million martyrs who sacrificed their life for the cause of independence.

Ambassador Imran said Bangladesh attaches high importance to its long-standing partnership with the United States. Ever since the establishment our two countries’ relations, there prevailed excellent understanding and collaboration with the United States playing a positive role in Bangladesh’s development journey.

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He mentioned that Bangladesh also shares with the United States a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all. We sincerely believe that two countries will be able to strengthen and advance the relationship further and explore new areas of cooperation, Ambassador Imran said.

He said Bangladesh looks forward to the support and cooperation from all its friends to realize the dream of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to transform Bangladesh into “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal), a hunger-and poverty-free prosperous Bangladesh.

Later, the US Assistant Secretary of State and the Bangladesh Ambassador jointly cut a cake in the presence of the guests. Earlier, the reception began with the playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States. It was followed by a screening of a documentary on the Liberation War and development of Bangladesh.

Ambassador Rebecca Gonzales, Director, Office of Foreign Missions, US State Department, Ambassadors and diplomats of different countries, senior officials of the State Department, and representatives from the US Government, USAID, USTR, NDI, IRI and other organizations were present at the function.

The event was also attended by Ambassador Mr. Muhammad Ziauddin, Ambassador at Large of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and former Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Ahmed Kaikaus, ex-Alternate Executive Director of World Bank Group and Principal Secretary to Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Saddam Selim, a Bangladeshi American elected a State Senator from Virginia and Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, the President of the US chapter of Bangladesh Awami League and the members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

To celebrate the great Independence and National Day, the Bangladesh Embassy arranged daylong programs that included hoisting of the National Flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, screening of a documentary and holding a discussion session and a special prayer.

The day’s programs began in the morning with ceremonially hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador Muhammad Imran on the Chancery premises. Officials and employees of the Mission were present on the occasion.

Later, the Ambassador placed a floral wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the presence of the officials of the Embassy.

The messages issued on the occasion by the Hon'ble President, Hon'ble Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister were read out by Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain and Counsellor and Head of Chancery Ms Shamima Yeasmin Smrite.

Later, a discussion session highlighting the significance of the Independence and National Day was held at the Bangabandhu Auditorium. Counsellor and Head of Chancery of Bangladesh Embassy Shamima Yeasmin Smrite and First Secretary (Passport and Visa Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton conducted the two parts of the programs.

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