Padma bridge to be built within AL's tenure: Minister

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FE Report
Communications minister Syed Abul Hossain Saturday dismissed the fear of critics, insisting that Padma bridge construction would be completed within the present government's tenure.
"We want to start the Padma bridge construction within our tenure. We are trying with utmost sincerity to complete it before the end of our tenure," he told reporters after a national seminar.
The minister's comment came days after the government invited pre-qualification bidding again for the US$2.7 billion Padma-multi-purpose bridge project.
The government had to cancel the previous bidding in the face of opposition from the World Bank, a major financier of the mega infrastructure project.
The minister said his government doesn't want to delay the implementation, even though it was delayed since the project was taken during the time of past Awami League (AL) government.
The communications minister, who addressed the seminar on Padma bridge safeguard plan disclosure, said all stakeholders including locals and financiers are "very eager to be involved with the country's largest infrastructure development project."
After completion, the bridge is expected to bring revolution in transportation network by connecting it with the Asian highway and Euro Asian railway network.
Abul Hossain said financiers have already assured the government of providing supports to the road-cum-rail bridge project.
He added that the World Bank agreed to lend out additional $300 million for the project.
Ministry of Communication and Bangladesh Bridge Authority organised the seminar where Robert Aves of Maunsell-AECOM presented the safeguard plan of the project.
Among others, economic affairs adviser to the Prime Minister Mashiur Rahman, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee Sheikh Muzibur Rahman, Segufta Yasmin, BBA secretary Mosharraf Hosain Bhuiyan and project director Rafiqul Islam addressed the seminar.
Country representatives of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank also spoke and lauded the ministry and the BBA for their performance in speedy implementation of the Padma bridge project.