Three companies from China, Korea and Belgium Thursday submitted respective financial proposals to compete for the river-training work (RTW) of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project.
On the last day of bid submission, Sino Hydro Corporation Limited of China, Hyundai Engineering and Construction of South Korea and Jan De Nul NV of Belgium showed their interest to carry out 14 kilometre river bank protection work at both Mawa and Janjira sides for ensuring river flow below the proposed Padma Bridge.
Representatives of AECOM Maunsell and members of the technical evaluation committee (TEC) were present at the Padma Bridge project office to open the proposals.
The project office, under the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), invited four technically qualified companies to submit their respective financial offers by June 19. Among them, Padma RTC JV of the Netherlands and Belgium did not show up.
Sources said among the three firms, Sino Hydro offered the lowest of Tk 87 billion to carry out RTW. Besides, Hyundai offered Tk 121 billion, and Jan De Nul Tk 160 billion.
However, the Chinese company has already delayed implementation of the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project, increasing its cost by over Tk 10 billion, officials concerned said.
BBA short-listed six international companies for RTW in 2011. However, two of them were disqualified at the technical evaluation stage. The Padma Bridge project has five different kinds of work. All the works have been awarded, except RTW.
While speaking at the occasion, Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said they are hopeful of starting both Padma main bridge work and RTW together by August.
He told journalists that the proposals of the three firms will be evaluated by the World Bank-appointed international firm, and reviewed by TEC, headed by Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury.
He said all the firms, participated in the RTW bidding, were pre-qualified by the World Bank.
When asked whether or not the performance of any company, whose performance has caused delay in any ongoing project in the country, would be taken into account during the evaluation process, Obaidul Quader refrained from commenting.
He, rather, said the consultant and TEC must be allowed to perform independently.
Answering to another question regarding selection of China Major Bridge Corporation despite its role in the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, the minister highlighted their work in the Lalon Shah Bridge and the Pakshi Bridge.
He said the Chinese company has experiences of constructing over 300 bridges with at least 5 kilometre length across the world.
On the occasion, Bridge Division secretary Khandkar Anwarul Islam and Padma Bridge project director M Shafiqul Islam were also present.
3 cos submit bids for Padma Bridge river training
FE Report | Published: June 21, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
Share if you like