Padma Bridge, which is Bangladesh’s biggest infrastructure project till now, was finally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday. The much-awaited bridge will give a big boost to the nation’s development index. It will also improve India’s connectivity to Dhaka through road, rail and ports. The design and construction of the Padma Bridge is the achievement of several people and organisations, said Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, director of the project.&nbsp;This multipurpose bridge has been built over Padma River. It is a two-level road-rail bridge. It is currently the longest bridge in the country.

The Padma Bridge’s design was made by AECOM of New Zealand. The design work of the bridge began in 2009 in Hong Kong in collaboration with North West Hydraulic Consultants of Canada, ACME International of Australia and ACE Consultants Limited of Bangladesh. The AECOM team designing the bridge was led by a British citizen, Robin Shyam. &nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The travelling distance to Dhaka from the Indian border at Benapole will now get reduced by over 70 km by road. The travel time will also be shortened by 4.30 hours. The journey time from Kolkata to Dhaka by train will also be reduced by half. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Padma Bridge, which is Bangladesh’s biggest infrastructure project till now, was finally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday. The much-awaited bridge will give a big boost to the nation’s development index.

Padma Bridge, which is Bangladesh’s biggest infrastructure project till now, was finally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday. The much-awaited bridge will give a big boost to the nation’s development index. It will also improve India’s connectivity to Dhaka through road, rail and ports. The design and construction of the Padma Bridge is the achievement of several people and organisations, said Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, director of the project. This multipurpose bridge has been built over Padma River. It is a two-level road-rail bridge. It is currently the longest bridge in the country. The Padma Bridge’s design was made by AECOM of New Zealand. The design work of the bridge began in 2009 in Hong Kong in collaboration with North West Hydraulic Consultants of Canada, ACME International of Australia and ACE Consultants Limited of Bangladesh. The AECOM team designing the bridge was led by a British citizen, Robin Shyam. WATCH WION LIVE HERE The travelling distance to Dhaka from the Indian border at Benapole will now get reduced by over 70 km by road. The travel time will also be shortened by 4.30 hours. The journey time from Kolkata to Dhaka by train will also be reduced by half. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Grand project: Finally, Bangladesh unveils multipurpose bridge on Padma River

Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified that the Padma Bridge— multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of the Ganges—is not part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), putting rest to speculations on&nbsp;Beijing’s presence in the Indian neighbourhood.

BRI or the “One Belt, One Road” initiative is a flagship programme of President Xi Jinping for trade and connectivity. India has often raised concerns over the BRI projects because of a key part– the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – passing&nbsp;through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a statement, Bangladesh MoFA said, “Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically asserts that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been entirely funded by the Government of Bangladesh and no foreign funds from any bilateral or multilateral funding agency have financially contributed to its construction.”

The response came amid reports that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been constructed under the Chinese BRI and foreign funds.

According to the foreign ministry, the completion of the bridge— which is scheduled to open on June 25—will fulfil the dream of Bangladesh of connecting the 19 south-western districts to the rest of the country resulting in collective prosperity, socio-economic development of the country as well as enhanced regional connectivity.

The 6-km bridge, which is located about 40 kilometres south of Dhaka, is expected to boost trade and commerce in Bangladesh's southwest region and, according to official estimates, increase the country's GDP by 1.2 per cent.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main construction work of the bridge in 2015. When completed it will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh and the first fixed river crossing for road traffic.

It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified that the Padma Bridge— multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of the Ganges—is not part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), putting rest to speculations on Beijing’s presence in the Indian neighbourhood.

Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified that the Padma Bridge— multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of the Ganges—is not part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), putting rest to speculations on Beijing’s presence in the Indian neighbourhood. BRI or the “One Belt, One Road” initiative is a flagship programme of President Xi Jinping for trade and connectivity. India has often raised concerns over the BRI projects because of a key part– the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – passing through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). In a statement, Bangladesh MoFA said, “Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically asserts that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been entirely funded by the Government of Bangladesh and no foreign funds from any bilateral or multilateral funding agency have financially contributed to its construction.” The response came amid reports that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been constructed under the Chinese BRI and foreign funds. According to the foreign ministry, the completion of the bridge— which is scheduled to open on June 25—will fulfil the dream of Bangladesh of connecting the 19 south-western districts to the rest of the country resulting in collective prosperity, socio-economic development of the country as well as enhanced regional connectivity. The 6-km bridge, which is located about 40 kilometres south of Dhaka, is expected to boost trade and commerce in Bangladesh's southwest region and, according to official estimates, increase the country's GDP by 1.2 per cent. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main construction work of the bridge in 2015. When completed it will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh and the first fixed river crossing for road traffic. It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Bangladesh denies Padma Bridge project being part of China’s Belt and Road Imitative

An overloaded speedboat allegedly driven by an inexperienced underage boy capsized in Bangladesh after collision with a sand laden vessel, killing at least 26 people while many others were missing, police said on Monday.

The accident happened in Banglabazar ferry ghat on Monday morning when the overloaded speedboat collided with the vessel.

Following the incident, rescuers have retrieved at least 26 bodies, police said.

"We have retrieved 26 bodies, rescued alive five others . . . But searches are underway for more as several speedboat passengers are feared missing," a police official at the scene told reporters.

Ashiqur Rahman, the police inspector of a nearby ferry terminal, said that they were informed the driver of the speedboat was an inexperienced underage boy.

''Witnesses and survivors said the boat was carrying over 30 passengers and the vessel was transporting sand in the Padma River near the town of Shibchar of Madaripur,''&nbsp;he said.

Authorities said a rescue operation was on.&nbsp;

An overloaded speedboat allegedly driven by an inexperienced underage boy capsized in Bangladesh after collision with a sand laden vessel, killing at least 26 people while many others were missing, police said on Monday.

An overloaded speedboat allegedly driven by an inexperienced underage boy capsized in Bangladesh after collision with a sand laden vessel, killing at least 26 people while many others were missing, police said on Monday. The accident happened in Banglabazar ferry ghat on Monday morning when the overloaded speedboat collided with the vessel. Following the incident, rescuers have retrieved at least 26 bodies, police said. "We have retrieved 26 bodies, rescued alive five others . . . But searches are underway for more as several speedboat passengers are feared missing," a police official at the scene told reporters. Ashiqur Rahman, the police inspector of a nearby ferry terminal, said that they were informed the driver of the speedboat was an inexperienced underage boy. ''Witnesses and survivors said the boat was carrying over 30 passengers and the vessel was transporting sand in the Padma River near the town of Shibchar of Madaripur,'' he said. Authorities said a rescue operation was on.

Twenty six killed in boat accident in Bangladesh

padma-river

Padma River, News on Padma River, stories on Padma River, articles on Padma River, Padma River stories at Wion, Padma River news, Padma River latest news

padma river

Grand project: Finally, Bangladesh unveils multipurpose bridge on Padma River

Bangladesh denies Padma Bridge project being part of China’s Belt and Road Imitative

Twenty six killed in boat accident in Bangladesh