PM orders progress on 2nd Padma, Jamuna bridges, Padma Barrage

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed officials to expedite preparations for three major infrastructure projects: a Y-shaped second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge prioritising northern connectivity, and the proposed Padma Barrage.
He gave the instructions at a meeting with officials of the relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Emerging from the meeting, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told journalists that the three projects had received approval in principle.
He said the meeting discussed whether the proposed Y-shaped Padma Bridge and Padma Barrage could conflict with each other or reduce their respective utility.
“The Padma Barrage project has been approved by ECNEC. During the detailed design process, the authorities considered the proposed Y-shaped second Padma Bridge and examined whether the barrage would interfere with the planned Padma and Jamuna bridges,” he said.
Feasibility studies for the second Padma and Jamuna bridges are under way and are expected to be completed by September 2027. Detailed designs will then be prepared, followed by the formulation of development project proposals (DPPs), he added.
The proposed Y-shaped second Padma Bridge is expected to improve connectivity between the southwestern region and the capital while providing alternative transport links to Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.

For the second Jamuna Bridge, the meeting prioritised better connectivity with Rangpur and other northern districts.
The proposed Padma Barrage was also reviewed, with discussions focusing on reducing dry-season water shortages, increasing agricultural production, maintaining river flows and protecting ecological balance. The possibility of road connectivity across the barrage was also considered.
Financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies were among the other issues discussed.
Several state ministers, secretaries and senior officials from the ministries of road transport, bridges, water resources, finance and shipping, along with representatives of the Bangladesh Bridges Authority and Roads and Highways Department, attended the meeting. 

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