Construction work for the $ 2.97 billion Padma Multipurpose Bridge
Project is underway with government funding as five firms have been
shortlisted for appointment of Construction Supervision Consultant
(CSC) for the main bridge and river training, the Prime Minister told
Parliament on Wednesday. “The work on implementation of the Padma
Bridge Project with an estimated cost of Tk 20,507.20 crore ($ 2.97
billion) with own funding of the government is going on,” she said,
answering a tabled question of BNP lawmaker Nazim Uddin Ahmed
(Laxmipur-1). Hasina said that 11 organizations have submitted the
proposals and of them, five firms have been short-listed in the
evaluation for appointing the CSC. “The RFP will be issued soon,” she
added. She also said that the work on the riverbank protection at
the Jazira Construction Yard at a cost of Tk 95.98 crore is underway
where 65 percent of the work has already been completed. Besides, the
construction of the Jnzira Approach Road at a cost of Tk 1,262.96
crore is also going on. The PM informed that the construction work
on Mawa approach road will begin soon as the cabinet committee on
public purchase has approved a proposal for appointing contractors for
the construction of Mawa approach road at a cost of Tk 259.56 crore.
She said the work on land acquisition for the project and
rehabilitation of the affected people is at the last stage.
Agreement has already been signed among Special Works Organization
(SWO-West), Bangladesh Army in association with BRTC and BUET for
appointing Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) for the Jazira
approach road, Mawa approach road and Service Area-2 at a cost of Tk
133.48 crore. The Prime Minister expressed her optimism that the
work for the 2nd Padma Bridge at Paturia-Goalondo point will start
soon as three firms have submitted their bids for implementing the
6.10-kilometer bridge on PPP basis following invitation of Expression
of Interest (EOI). Besides, the Chinese government firm China
Communications Construction Company Ltd has expressed their interest
for constructing the bridge on Government to Government basis. – UNB
