The Padma is one of the mightiest rivers of Bangladesh. It is second to the Amazon as per the high-speed current or river water. To build a bridge over a river like the Padma is not an easy task. The characteristic of this river is very much different than any other rivers on earth. Bangladesh took a bold decision to make a bridge over this river and we are expecting to run our car over the bridge next year. This is the world’s 11th largest bridge.
[Crane Tian-e is lifting the last spam of the Padma Bridge]
[The Padma Bridge from far away]
Background:
The present Bangladesh government decided to make this bridge in 1998. But they could not start working. When this government came to the power again, they started working on this bridge with financial AID of the World Bank, ADB, and the Japanese government. But later the financial aides left the project claiming corruption though this claim was established as false by local and international investigation and court declaration. After that, the government of Bangladesh decided to make the bridge with its own money, without any financial support from other countries or organizations. Bangladesh is spending around 4 billion US dollars to make this bridge.
[The main steel frame of the bridge. Photo is taken from under the bridge]
Physical description:
The main bridge is 6.15 kilometers long over the river. It has a connecting road on both sides of the river. This is a 2-story bridge. The road line will be on the top and the dual gauge rail line will be under the road line. It has 41 spans and 42 pilers of which the last and final span was installed on December 10, 2020. The last span physically connected both sides of the river. The length of each span is 150 meters and weighs 3200 tones. To carry, lift, and install this type of span the world’s largest floating crane Tian- E is used. World’s largest hammer has been also used for the pilling of this bridge. It will have architectural lights that will be lit up during national days.
[Army boat patrolling for security]
[A boat with the journalists]
Importance:
The Padma bridge will have a great impact on the overall economy of Bangladesh. This bridge will connect 21 south-western districts of Bangladesh with the capital city Dhaka. It will reduce the traveling time remarkably between Dhaka and the port city Khulna. Some researchers estimated that the Bangladesh GDP will increase by 1.26% after this bridge is opened. Already land price has increased on both sides of the bridge. Investors are planning and buying lands for new industries that will create huge employment. Port of Mongla and the Port of Payra will be used in full sewing and will contribute to the overall economic growth of the country. A lot of employment will be created, tourism will flourish, the exodus of jobless people to Dhaka will reduce, farmers will get a better price, businessmen will get better profit and consumers will get fresh products for this bridge. The estimated longevity is around 100 years and it will keep contributing to the growth and prosperity of Bangladesh. It will contribute to the improvement of tourism in the bridge area.
[My worried boatman is looking at the bridge with frustration]
With all its importance it has some negative impact also. Boats, Ferries, speedboats, and launches and their operator will become jobless. Restaurants, shops, hawkers at the Mawa ghat and Jajira Ghat will also become jobless as these ghats or river ports will be closed after the opening of the bridge. As the river route will lose its importance so the river bed will become silted if kept without dredging. There may have some environmental negative effects also.
[A young man is waving the flag of Bangladesh after the last span was installed successfully]
My experience of visiting the Padma bridge:
10th December 2020, was declared to install the last span of the Padma Bridge. I was pre-determined to be present there on that day. Accordingly, I went there on the early foggy morning and after a huge struggle, managed to hire an engine boat to bring near the spot of the span installment. Security was maintained there by a combined force of Army, navy, and the coast guards. It was difficult to go close to the bridge. After several attempts once or twice I went a little closer to the bridge and took some photos. There were many journalists and a few common people (including me) who managed to go there on that day. Though it was a little risky, but I did not want to miss the chance of this historical moment for Bangladesh.
[The Padma Bridge over the pillers]
। স্বপ্নের সেতু একটু একটু করে যেভাবে বাস্তবের রূপ নিচ্ছে তা অনবদ্য। বাংলা দেশ গেলে ভ্রমণের ইচ্ছে রইলো। 
