Padma bridge construction to end by June 2022: Obaidul Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader informed the parliament today that the construction of Padma bridge would be completed within June 2022.

Construction work of Padma bridge has been delayed due to the Covid-19 situation, the minister said while responding to queries of a lawmaker. The answer was tabled at the parliament.

"Work is going on round the clock, but during the Covid-19 period the work remained suspended at night. The pace of work was reduced as some foreign engineers, consultants and 1,000 local workers left the project," he said.

The bridge is likely to be opened to traffic in the first half of next year.

The bridge, which would connect Dhaka to 21 southern districts, will be a potential catalyst for major economic changes in the lives of over 30 million people living in the region. It will also give a major boost to trade and economic activities.

The Tk 30,193-crore bridge will be one of the major transport corridors linking Bangladesh with India, Nepal and Bhutan. Besides, it will enhance regional trade and collaboration along the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway Network.

VEHICLES WITHOUT FITNESS CERTIFICATES

Obaidul Quader also said that the number of unfit vehicles was 4,81,029 across the country till December last year.

The government took various measures to reduce the number, which includes sending information for renewing the fitness certificates through SMS, renewing from the circle offices, and punitive actions such as fine, imprisonment and dumping vehicles without proper documents.