On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed officials to advance plans for a second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge, and the Padma Barrage. The Prime Minister prioritized these projects to improve connectivity in the southwestern and northern regions.
Prime Minister's Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Al Mahmud Shahriar stated that he gave the directives during an afternoon meeting with officials from relevant ministries and divisions held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The meeting was informed that feasibility studies for a second Padma Bridge and a second Jamuna Bridge are currently underway.
Final decisions regarding the locations, designs, and estimated costs of the projects will be made after the completion of the studies in September of next year.
Discussions regarding the proposed second Padma Bridge focused on a Y-shaped connection system, while planning for the second Jamuna Bridge highlighted the need for improved connectivity for Rangpur and other northern districts.
The second Padma Bridge, if built, will improve communication between the capital and the southwestern region.
It will also provide alternative connectivity to Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.
The meeting also included discussions on the Padma Barrage project, focusing on its potential to address dry-season water shortages, enhance agricultural production, preserve river flows and environmental balance, and establish road connectivity across the barrage.
Issues relating to project financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies also came up for discussion.
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.
Also present at the event were 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.
Why it matters
The advancement of these major infrastructure projects is set to reshape regional transport networks, improve port connectivity, and address critical water management challenges.