Chinese firm asked to build main Padma bridge

The government has asked a Chinese company to construct the core structure of the Padma bridge, finance minister AMA Muhith has said.
China Major Bridge Engineering Co Ltd got the nod at the meeting of the cabinet committee on government purchase on Thursday.
Muhith said the bridge, which will link 21 southern districts with capital Dhaka, will be completed in four years.
Once commissioned, it will boost Bangladesh’s economy by as much as 1.2 percent, the government claims.
The bridge was initially estimated to cost Tk 91.72 billion in 2011 but the spending rose to Tk 138.85 billion after the final tenders were invited on June 26 last year.
A summary prepared by the Bridges Division says the Chinese firm quoted 12.62 percent less than the estimated cost.
The finance minister said an agreement would be signed with the company in June after the prime minister’s approval, according to a news agency.