The Padma Bridge Essay is a common topic in many competitive exams in Bangladesh. Today we will create a sample or essay for students. We suggest not memorising the essay but rather taking an idea and writing the essay later on by own language and style.
The Padma Bridge Essay
The Padma Bridge is a multipurpose road-rail bridge that will be constructed over the Padma River in Bangladesh. It is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh and is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economy. The bridge will connect the south-western region of Bangladesh with the rest of the country, including the capital city of Dhaka. The construction of the bridge is expected to reduce travel time and costs, boost trade and commerce, and improve overall connectivity in the country. It will also help to alleviate poverty by providing access to job opportunities and essential services for people living in the region.
Introduction:
Bangladesh is a riverine country. The world’s largest delta has been formed over time at the point where the two longest rivers of South Asia – the Brahmaputra and the Ganges meet in the Bay of Bengal. Due to the geographical structure, there are numerous rivers spread like a net in this country.
There are some rivers which are longer and wider. For this reason, the communication system between some parts of Bangladesh and other parts of the country, especially the capital Dhaka, is not so good. One such river is Padma, on which a bridge will be built to connect 19 districts of the southern region with the eastern part of the country including Dhaka. The long-standing dream of the people of Bangladesh is going to be realized through the construction of Padma Bridge.
Padma Bridge Project:
In 1998-99, the then Awami League government verified the feasibility of constructing the bridge. The foundation stone of Padma Bridge was laid on July 4, 2001. According to Planning Commission sources, in 2007, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the first Padma Bridge project at a cost of Tk 10,162 crore.
In 2011, after revising the project proposal, the expenditure was fixed at Tk 20 thousand 507 crores. According to the latest information, the cost of the project so far has reached 24 thousand 77 crores in five physical and two monitoring packages. If we include the cost of protecting the river banks, moving the ferry and protecting the security system, it will reach close to 29 thousand crore Takas.
Resolving complications with the project:
The survey of the Padma Bridge project was done with the funds of the Japanese agency JICA. The design is funded by the Asian Development Bank. Agreements were signed with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA and Islamic Development Bank for the implementation of the main project.
But complications arose when donors announced they were pulling out amid allegations of a corruption conspiracy. At one stage the government decided to implement the project with its own funding. State-owned Agrani Bank guarantees to provide the necessary dollars for the project.
Challenges for the Government:
The Bangladesh government is giving great importance to the Padma Bridge project. There are two reasons behind this. First, the government has developed a bitter relationship with donors including the World Bank over the financing of the Padma Bridge project. So the government has taken this project as a challenge. Along with this, the government also wants to highlight the capabilities of Bangladesh in front of the international world.
Secondly, Awami League’s election manifesto has promised to implement the project in 2008. If the project is implemented, the confidence of the people of south and south-western region in the government will increase manifold.
Infrastructure of Padma Bridge:
The length of Padma Bridge is 6.15 kilometers. The bridge will be double-decker. The bridge will be constructed of concrete and steel. Buses, trucks etc. vehicles will run through the upper floor of the bridge and trains will run through the lower floor.
The number of pillars of Padma Bridge is 66. Out of this, 42 pillars will be installed in Padma Vakhsh and the remaining 24 pillars will be made for connecting bridges of one and a half kilometers and three kilometers on both banks. There are 6 piles of 42 pillars in Padma Vaksha. However, a total of 12 piles with 6 more piles should be placed on both the pillars of the two banks. Total number of piles is 264 (42 X 6 + 12). Bridge pillars are being installed at 150 meter intervals. Each pillar will be buried at a depth of approximately 70 feet.
Inauguration of the main work of Padma Bridge:
On December 12, 2015, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the work of river management on Jazira Bank. After that, the construction of the main bridge started with the official inauguration of Padma Bridge by pressing the switch on piling work. The construction of this dream bridge started with the hands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After the prime minister switched on, the main pile of the Padma Bridge was driven deeper and deeper into the riverbed by the world’s most powerful hydraulic hammer, with loud applause. Through this, the world is informed that the country’s largest Padma Bridge is being built with its own funds.
It is no longer a dream; reality The construction of this 6.15 km long bridge will be completed by 2018. Thousands of people flocked to witness the opening day of the construction of the bridge. They rushed from areas like Srinagar, Lauhajong, Keraniganj etc. Besides, many have come from Jazira across the Padma and Ghazaria across the Meghna. There were dreams in the eyes of the people present.
Builders and Consultants:
To speed up the work of Padma Bridge, work is going on according to shift and river management work along with dredging is also progressing fast. China’s ‘Sinohydro Corporation’ is in charge of river management.
For the main construction work of this important bridge of the country, China Major Bridge Engineering Construction Company has been assigned the responsibility, besides Bangladeshi Abdul Menem Limited and Malaysia Highway Construction Management are working jointly for the construction of connecting roads and other infrastructure on both sides.
Apart from this, South Korea’s ‘Korean Expressway’ and Bangladesh Army have been appointed as consultants to supervise the work of Padma Bridge.
Land Acquisition:
Proposed 1422.75 hectares of land has been acquired in three districts – Madaripur, Munshiganj and Shariatpur. The work of rehabilitation of the victims is also nearing completion. So far, 80 percent of the rehabilitation work has been completed. The city-style rehabilitation centers bring a touch of city life to the people here.
PUT allocation for 2700 families has been kept in 7 rehabilitation centers. Plots have already been handed over to most of the families. 5 thousand families have been directly and indirectly affected by the Padma Bridge project.
The rehabilitation centers are tour-friendly, well-planned and beautifully decorated. The centers have schools, mosques, health centres, market sheds, water tanks, electricity sub-stations, paved roads, paved drains, sewage lines and ponds.
Padma Bridge and Future Prospects:
The Padma Bridge will be used as a route for the Asian Highway. Economists believe that the financial growth of the country will increase if Padma Bridge is opened. After the implementation of the Padma Bridge project, a 13 km long flyover will be established from Dhaka city to Mawa highway. There are plans to build a city on the model of Hong Kong around the Padma Bridge. There will be a four-lane road from Mawa to Pesthgela.
One of the main economic impacts of the Padma Bridge is the improved connectivity it will bring to the southern region of the country. The bridge will reduce the travel time between the capital city of Dhaka and the southern region by several hours, making it easier for businesses to transport goods and services. This improved connectivity is expected to increase trade and economic activity in the region, leading to job creation and increased income for local communities.
The Padma Bridge is also expected to have a positive impact on the country’s tourism industry. The bridge will provide easier access to tourist destinations in the southern region, such as the Sundarbans mangrove forest and the Cox’s Bazar beach, which is the longest natural sea beach in the world. This increased access is expected to attract more tourists to the region, leading to increased revenue for the local economy and job creation in the tourism industry.
In addition to the direct economic benefits, the construction of the Padma Bridge is also expected to have a significant impact on the country’s infrastructure development. The bridge is being built with the latest technology and design, and is expected to serve as a model for future infrastructure development in the country. This improved infrastructure will attract more investment and businesses to the country, leading to increased economic growth and job creation.
The Padma Bridge is a major investment for Bangladesh, with an estimated cost of over $3 billion. However, the economic benefits are expected to far outweigh the costs, with estimates suggesting that the bridge will add over 1.2% to the country’s GDP. This increased economic activity is expected to benefit all segments of society, from large businesses to small farmers and traders.
Conclusion:
The Padma Bridge, the dream of the people of Bangladesh, is about to be realized today. After many ups and downs, the work of Padma Bridge finally started in 2015. The Bangladesh government did not back down despite the World Bank and donors withdrawing from the allegations of corruption conspiracy.
The government decided to build this bridge with its own funding and accordingly the work is progressing. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the progress of the work, taking regular inquiries.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has visited the banks of the Padma three to four times every month and is going to monitor the work of the bridge. The work of Padma Bridge is progressing at normal speed. Everyone concerned is hoping that the construction of the bridge will be completed within a certain time.
Padma Bridge Photo Gallery:
