The first span of Padma Multipurpose Bridge being installed on Saturday morning at the Jajira point in Shariatpur. — FE photo
MUNSHIGANJ, Sept 30 (UNB): The much-hyped Padma Bridge is now a visible reality as the first span (superstructure) of the bridge was placed on pillars on Saturday morning.
The 150-metre long span was installed on the pillar nos. 37 and 38 that took two hours, starting from 8:00 am.
"Through the installation of first span, the Padma Bridge is now a visible reality, removing all uncertainties", said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
The long-cherished Padma Bridge construction progressed one step forward through this span installation, he added.
Munshiganj-2 constituency MP Shagufta Yasmin Emily, Bridge secretary Anwarul Islam, Padma Bridge Project Director Shafiqul Islam, engineers concerned of the Bridge, Bangladesh Army's General Abu Sayeed and representatives from China Major Bridge, among others, were present.
The construction work was going on in full swing to implement the project on time, said Quader.
The second span will be installed on the pillar nos. 38 and 39 in late October, he said. The construction work on the pillar no. 39 will end soon.
The construction work of the much-talked-about Padma Bridge started in December in 2015.
Around 47 per cent of the bridge has been completed so far.
It is expected that the construction will be completed by December next year.