PM Pushes Plans for Second Padma, Jamuna Bridges, Barrage

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at a meeting with officials of the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed officials to advance plans for a second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge and the Padma Barrage, prioritising improved connectivity in the southwestern and northern regions of Bangladesh.

He issued the directives at a meeting with officials from relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said his Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Al Mahmud Shahriar.

The meeting was informed that feasibility studies for the proposed second Padma and Jamuna bridges are underway. Final decisions on their locations, designs and estimated costs will be made after the studies are completed in September next year.

The proposed second Padma Bridge was discussed with a focus on a Y-shaped connection system. Plans for the second Jamuna Bridge highlighted the need to improve connectivity for Rangpur and other northern districts.

If constructed, the second Padma Bridge would improve travel between the capital and the southwestern region. It would also provide alternative connections to Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.

The meeting also reviewed the proposed Padma Barrage project, including its potential to address dry-season water shortages, boost agricultural production, maintain river flows and environmental balance, and provide road connectivity across the barrage.

Project financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among relevant ministries and agencies were also discussed.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam; State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid; State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad; and State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Division Md Razib Ahsan attended the meeting.

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf, Water Resources Secretary Dr AKM Shahabuddin, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque and other senior officials were also present.