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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to expedite constructing a second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge and the Padma Barrage to improve regional connectivity and address water management challenges.
He gave the directives at a meeting with officials of the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.
The meeting was informed that feasibility studies for the proposed second Padma and Jamuna bridges are underway.
Final decisions on their locations, designs and estimated costs will be taken after completion of the studies in September next year.
The proposed second Padma Bridge was discussed with a focus on a Y-shaped connection system, while improved connectivity for Rangpur and other northern districts was emphasised in planning the second Jamuna Bridge.
The second Padma Bridge is expected to strengthen connectivity between Dhaka and the southwestern region while providing alternative links to Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.
The meeting also discussed the proposed Padma Barrage, which is expected to help address dry-season water shortages, boost agricultural production, maintain river flows and preserve environmental balance. It may also provide road connectivity across the barrage.
Issues relating to project financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among relevant ministries and agencies were also discussed.
The directives were disclosed by the Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Al Mahmud Shahriar.
