Another bridge over the Payra

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority hired a South Koran-Bangladesh joint venture (JV) firm to build a major bridge over the Payra in Patuakhali.

Officials of the BBA and the firm signed a contract yesterday in this regard at capital's Setu Bhaban in presence of Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

The partners of the JV are Korean company Samwhan Corporation and Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd of Bangladesh.

The firm will prepare the design of the 1.7km bridge and is to build it in three years at the cost of around Tk 641 crores.

Project Director Tofazzel Hossain said they hope the contractors will start designing the bridge within the next two weeks.

Last year, the government inaugurated the Lebukhali over the Payra on the Barishal-Patuakhali highway.