The construction work of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge may be completed in 2022, finance minister A H M Mustafa Kamal said on Wednesday, blaming the virus outbreak and this year's prolonged flood for the delay.
"You know…due to various reasons, especially because of Covid-19, we could not continue work of Padma Bridge. Besides, this year's devastating flood hampered the work," he told newsmen.
When 2021 deadline was set, he said, none could think about emergence of such a virus. The work was also advancing smoothly and everyone has been expecting that the work will be completed by that time.
"But unfortunately, the coronavirus has deformed everything and this project also faced the hurdles," said Mr Kamal after a virtual meeting of the cabinet committee on government purchase.
The construction work of the 6.15-kilometre main bridge began on 12 December 2015at an estimated cost of US$3.868 billion.
As the work got delayed, the committee at the meeting extended the tenure of the agreement with Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) and Associates, the company tasked with construction, supervision and consultancy of the bridge and river training till June 2023 from September 2020.
For extended 34 months of services, the company will be paid some Tk 3.48 billion.
The committee also approved a purchase proposal of Tk 559 million for supplying furniture in 956 apartments of four 20-storey buildings and six 16- storey buildings in 'Green City Residential Palli' in Ishwardi sub-district under Pabna district.
People engaged in construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will reside in the residential area.
The committee also approved a proposal worth Tk 269 million for supplying home appliances to those buildings.
In addition, it approved two proposals for printing, binding and supplying books for ebtedayee and dakhil level students involving Tk 2.12 billion.
The committee further approved a proposal for buying 12,000 tonnes of printing paper and 1,300 tonnes of art cards for distributing books free of cost at secondary level in 2021 at a cost of Tk 900 million.
Replying to a query whether the government will extend support again to garment factory owners who sought fund to pay wages to their workers for the month of August, the minister acknowledged receiving a letter in this regard from the apparel apex body.
"The Prime Minister will consider the issue and we will send it to her. The Prime Minister herself had supported in the past before the factory owners appealed for help," said Mr Kamal.
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