Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to advance plans for constructing a Y-shaped second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge with priority given to northern connectivity, and the proposed Padma Barrage.
He gave the instructions at a meeting with officials from the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon (3 November).
The meeting was informed that feasibility studies for the second Padma and Jamuna bridges were under way and were expected to be completed by September 2027.
Final decisions on the locations, designs and estimated costs of the two bridges will be taken after the studies are completed.
Y-shaped Padma Bridge, northern connectivity
The proposed Y-shaped connectivity system for the second Padma Bridge was discussed in detail at the meeting.
If constructed, the bridge would improve communication between the southwestern region and the capital while providing an alternative transport link to Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.
For the proposed second Jamuna Bridge, the meeting placed particular emphasis on improving transport connectivity to Rangpur and other northern districts.
Padma Barrage plan
The meeting also reviewed the proposed Padma Barrage, focusing on addressing water shortages during the dry season, boosting agricultural production, maintaining river flows and preserving ecological balance.
Officials also discussed the possibility of establishing road connectivity across the barrage.
Financing arrangements, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies were also discussed.
Among those attending were Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam; Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid; State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad; and Shipping Ministry and Bridges Division State Minister Rajib Ahsan.
Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Majumder, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf, Water Resources Ministry Secretary AKM Shahabuddin, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Additional Secretary of the Water Resources Ministry Enamul Haque, Bangladesh Bridges Authority Director (Joint Secretary) Bikharuddaula Chowdhury, Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman, Bridges Authority Chief Engineer Abul Hossain and Padma Barrage Project Director Mahmud Hasan also attended.
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