China to fund three fresh friendship bridges in BD
Munima Sultana | Sunday, 19 June 2016
The Chinese Government may finance three fresh friendship bridges in Bangladesh, meant for establishing road connectivity with the country's southern districts.
Officials said the Chinese government has selected the three bridge-construction projects proposed by the Bangladesh government to find the possibility of funding.
An expert team of the Chinese government selected Mongla, Boga and Jhokhapia bridges in Khulna, Bagerhat and Pirojpur districts for conducting feasibility study after visiting construction sites.
They said the team of CCCC Highway Consultants Company, endorsed by the Commerce Ministry of China, visited Barisal, Bagerhat, Barguna and Patuakhali during May and June and selected the projects on the bridges out of five proposals from the government.
Minutes of meeting to carry out necessary early-stage preparatory works including detailed design for the construction of the three bridges will be signed in Dhaka today (Sunday).
Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Office of the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges will strike the agreement.
"If the study finds okay, these three bridges will be 9th, 10th and 11th China-Bangladesh friendship bridges," said one official.
He said the team selected Dumki-Bauphal, Mongla-Bagerhat and Dacope-Khulna sites.
The officials said Roads and Highways Department had already taken up the projects to complete those by 2020 as medium- and long-term cooperation projects.
They said the one-kilometre Boga bridge has been planned to connect Dumki and Bauphal of Patuakhali. The Mongla bridge will connect Khulna Mongla Highway and Jhopjhopia bridge will connect Dacope with Khulna.
The 8th China-Bangladesh friendship bridge has been constructed on Koncha River.