Around Tk 12,000 was spent for the construction of main structure of the Padma Bridge.

International standard rehabilitation was ensured during the implementation of the Padma Bridge with around Tk 12,000 crore while around Tk 12,000 were spent for the main structure of the bridge with less than Tk 2,000 expenditure for per kilometer, said Planning Commission Member Mamun Al Rashid.

He said this at a press briefing following the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the 17th ECNEC meeting of the outgoing fiscal year (FY22) virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka, BSS reports.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said the premier directed the authorities concerned to set up a museum on Padma Bridge at a suitable place in Bhanga considering the scenic beauty there as well as the connecting roads and flyovers centering the Padma Bridge.

Some instruments and equipments used for constructing the bridge would also be installed at the museum, he said.

Terming the Padma Bridge as a structure of ‘national pride’ and it also reflects the indomitable courage of the prime minister as well as financial capability of the government, Dr Alam said that the overall cost of the bridge was not higher if the inflation is adjusted.

Recalling the background of fund withdrawal from the Bridge by the World Bank and other co-financiers like ADB, JICA, he said it was the premier who stood firm in her commitment to construct the bridge with own funding.

He said that the Padma Bridge was constructed with a rationale expenditure although the DPP of the project was revised for several times.

Dr Alam said the prime minister asked the authorities concerned to build elevated roads in the Haor and low-lying areas so that those could have a life span of 70 to 80 years and to avert maintenance cost and misuse of fund.

He said that additional allocation for incorporating the provision for bridges instead of culverts would also be ensured.