Construction of the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge at Mawa-Jajira point will start by December this year with an ultimate target to complete i

Construction of the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge at Mawa-Jajira point will start by December this year with an ultimate target to complete it within the tenure of the present government.

"The Bridges Division and the concerned authorities are working perpetually to commence the bridge construction by December 2010," said Minister for Communications Syed Abul Hossain while speaking ondevelopment works in progress in constructing the Padma Bridge at a press conference at Hotel Sheraton in the city yesterday.Mentioning that the prequalification tender document for the main bridge was approved in concurrence with the development partners on April 10, the Communications Minister expected that the prequalification of the bidders would be finalised by June while the appointment of the contractor for main bridge by October this year.The design of the river training works and the approach roads are running in parallel with the main bridge. Construction of those two packages will also start within early 2011, he said."The government of Bangladesh seeks continuous support and cooperation of all our development partners to implement the prestigious Padma Multipurpose Bridge project within December, 2013 as per the target of the government. We also need support and cooperation of the people of our country in this regard," he asserted.According to the Bridges Division sources, the World Bank has given assurance to provide US$ 1.2b for the project of which US$ 3m has already been disbursed to Bangladesh government. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assured to provide US$ 615m of which it has already disbursed US$ 26m to the government.Besides, Japan International Cooperation Association (JAICA) assured US$ 300m while Islamic Development Bank (IDB) US$ 130m, Japan Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF) US$ 4.31m and Bangladesh Government will contribute the rest of the amount about US$ 475m.The estimated cost of 6.15km long double-decker Padma Bridge project is US$ 2.4b.Replying to a question, the Minister said, a total of 13,482 households being affected by the project would be resettled in a better position along with providing them their right condensation.He said distribution of cheques among affected people in the project area has already been started for smooth implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).Criticising the BNP-led four-party alliance government, the Minister said though the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation of Padma bridge at Mawa point on July 4, 2001, the alliance government did nothing during their period rather exerted their influence to change the site of the project, for no other reason.Country Director of World Bank Bangladesh Ms. Ellen Goldstein, Country Director of Asian Development Bank Paul J. Heytens, Chief Representative of JAICA, Dhaka Dr. Takao Tado, Country Representative of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Farook-uz-zaman and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Md Abdul Karim addressed the function while Bridges Division Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan made a power point presentation on the progress of Padma multipurpose bridge project.In her speech, Ellen Goldstein said the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project is a unique bridge in the world based on its size and expected economic and social impact for the Southwest region."We give highest priority to addressing social and environmental issues related to construction of the bridge," she said.Paul J. Heytens said the bridge would ease the communication of the Southwest region with the capital.Dr. Takao Tado said 87 per cent of their assistance is given as grant.Farook-uz-zaman said the bridge would help reducing poverty from the Southwest region.