It is obligatory that we construct a bridge on Padma, which will provide us with multiple advantages. We shall collect about Tk.73.40 billion per year as toll and thus would be able to realise the cost of construction, i.e., Tk.314.14 billion in a period of only five years. I was a member of the technical committee representing BIWTA and in the process acquired a comprehensive knowledge about the bridge. The Padma Bridge is necessary but will yield less financial benefit than a Ganges Barrage. If the high-ups in the concerned authorities could give a comparative picture of the two projects, the government would definitely become more interested for the latter. Ganges Barrage could facilitate irrigation in 1.9 million hectares of land in 21 districts and provide 2.5 million tons of extra food crop, 0.24 million tons of fish and could add 130 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, besides helping smooth navigation, development of roads and railways and controlling erosion of rivers. I think, the government should take experts' opinion before constructing the Padma bridge. I am not against the Padma Bridge, but I strongly feel that the Ganges Barrage will be more beneficial for the country.
Md. Emdadul Haque (Badsha)
Former Director, BIWTA
and a river researcher.
emdadulbadsha@yahoo.com
About Padma Bridge
FE Team | Published: March 28, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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