Trashing the media reports on Padma Bridge project fund transfer, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said the money allocated for the much-awaited Padma Bridge project is not being diverted to anywhere.
“Padma Bridge is a sensitive national issue. Reports on the issue should be carried after proper verification,” he told reporters at a press briefing at his ministry on Wednesday.Obaidul Quader said the reports on transfer of Padma Bridge fund to the Roads and Railways Division from the Bridges Division are baseless. “But any idle money can’t remain unused in any division or ministry. If any money remains unutilised it goes back to the source from where it comes,” he added.
Quader said an amount of Tk 5,000 crore of the total budget allocation for the Padma Bridge project will remain untilised in the current fiscal year after some primary spending on approach roads and service areas but it will be allocated again for the project in the next budget.
There will be no lack of fund for the Padma Bridge project as it is a priority project, he said reiterating that the main work on the project will begin. – unb
