8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge in Pirojpur to open on Sep 4

The much-awaited Bekutia Bridge, formally known as the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, in Pirojpur is set to be opened on September 4.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually open the bridge, Sultana Yasmin, joint secretary of the Road Transport and Highway Division, confirmed to The Daily Star today.

The division today held a meeting after the prime minister gave consent to the date, sources at the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the implementing agency of the project, said.

However, opening dates for two other major bridges – Kalna Bridge in Narail and 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge in Narayanganj, construction of which is now at the final stage – are yet to be set, Sultana said.

Project Director Abdul Awal Molla said there will be a stage at the project site on the day of the inauguration.

RHD in October 2017 undertook the project to build the bridge over the Kacha river. Currently, people have to use ferries to cross the river.

The cost of the project is Tk 894 crore, of which China has provided Tk 654 crore as a grant and thus the bridge is named the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge.

However, the physical work of the project started in July 2018. The main structure of the 1,493m bridge, with a 495m viaduct, became fully visible in December last year.

The bridge will not only establish Pirojpur's direct connection with Barishal city, but it will also connect Barishal with Khulna.

Mongla port and the under-construction Payra port would also be connected by the bridge, and commute from Khulna and other western areas of the country to Kuakata, a top tourist destination, will be easier, RHH officials said.