PM to inaugurate main construction work on Padma Bridge today

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the main bridge construction work of the much-talked-about 6.15-km Padma Multipurpose Bridge today (Saturday) morning at Jajira point in Shariatpur district.
She will also inaugurate the river training work at Mawa point in Munshiganj.
The government is building the Padma Bridge, the country's largest infrastructure, with its own fund of Tk 28,000 crore.
On completion of the project, nearly six crore people of 19 southern districts will be connected with the rest of the country, including the capital Dhaka.
The work on the Padma Bridge is broadly divided into five parts -- the main bridge, river training, two link roads and infrastructure (service area) construction.
The two-tier Padma Bridge has the provisions for movement of vehicles on the upper tier of the bridge and operation of train on the lower tier.
The China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Corporation was appointed for construction of the main bridge, while China's Sinohydro Corporation for the river training.
Local firm Abdul Monem Limited has been awarded the contract for the construction of two approach roads and infrastructure development.
Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Korea Expressway Corporation and Associates are supervising the bridge onstruction.
Assuming office in 1996, the Awami League government initiated the project in 1998 for the first time. After returning to power in 2009, it revived the initiative. Though the World Bank initially proposed funding much of the project, Bangladesh withdrew the funding request after the global lender raised a stink over alleged corruption.
In 2014, the government signed contracts with the two Chinese companies for the construction of the main bridge and the river training work.