The Government of Bangladesh unveiled the Padma Bridge, its largest infrastructure project, on 25 June 2022. The bridge cost an estimated $3.6 billion, financed from domestic funding. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina underscored at the opening ceremony that the bridge belongs to the people of Bangladesh. It showcases the country’s passion, creativity, courage, endurance, and perseverance.

The 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge will connect its capital city Dhaka to the country’s southern regions, significantly reducing the distance between Dhaka and Mongla Port, Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport, by 100 kilometers. This will fast track transit time between Dhaka to Mongla from around 2-3 days to a few hours, according to Mr. Ahsan H. Monsur, Executive Director of the Dhaka-based Policy Research Institute.

The Padma Bridge will also link the southwestern districts of Bangladesh to the country’s northern and eastern parts. Smoother movements of goods, services, and people will help boost trade and connectivity. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that this will result “in collective prosperity, socioeconomic development of Bangladesh as well as enhanced regional connectivity.”

The bridge is expected to spur economic growth in the country with the government planning to build special economic and industrial zones in Bangladesh’s less-developed southern and southwestern region.

In addition, the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project is a two-level steel truss bridge with a railway track operating at the first level while vehicular traffic operates on the second level. The railway track is expected to be operational by 2024.

Related links:

Bangladesh inaugurates $3.6 billion Padma Bridge

‘Padma Bridge project was entirely funded by Bangladesh government’

Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project: Promise of a rising Bangladesh