Bid submission time for Padma Bridge extended further

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has extended tender submission deadline for two major works of the Padma Bridge project for another time on the ground of 'unavoidable circumstances'.

Officials said the tender submission date for the 6.15-kilometre-long bridge construction work has been re-fixed on January 9. The previous last date for submission -- December 19 -- coincides with the Opposition-enforced blockade programme.

Besides, the submission date for the Padma Bridge's river training work has been shifted to February 20 from January 6.

The officials said all three firms, which bought tender documents for the main bridge construction work, requested the BBA to extend submission time, as they feel insecure to submit valuable documents during the blockade.

On the other hand, the pre-qualified bidders for the Tk 70 billion river training work also requested the BBA to extend deadline by two months, showing some technical reasons. The BBA, however, shifted the date for more than a month.

With the latest extension, the BBA has changed the tender submission date for main bridge construction work for the forth time and for river training work for the third time.

 However, an official, preferring not to be named, said: "There is still possibility of extending the deadline further, as the ongoing political situation is unlikely to be normal soon."

When asked about the possibility of further extension of tender submission date, Project Director M Shafiqul Islam said it is beyond the authority's control.

He said as per local practice, no tender is received on a day, if it coincides with any violent political programme, like -- strike etc, due to security reasons.

"Earlier, the bidders showed technical reasons while requesting for time extension. But this time, they did not give any such reason," the PD told the FE.

Of the three firms, buying tender documents for constructing the main Padma Bridge, Daelim-Bam VCI, a joint venture of Korea, and Samsung C and T Corporation earlier sought time extension to get its design checked by an independent engineer, as they were to propose some changes in the design.