Over 1200 meter of Padma Bridge becomes visible

Secretariat Correspondent: The eighth span of the 6.15-kilometre long Padma Bridge was installed on Wednesday on its 35th and 36th no pillars at Jajira end in Shariatpur.

The 150-meter long ‘6E’ span was installed around 12.15 pm, making 1,200 meters of the main structure of the mega bridge visible.

Confirming the matter, Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project Humayun Kabir said, “The work of installing span began early Wednesday but it was somewhat delayed due to dense fog.”

A total of 1050 meters of the bridge were visible at Jajira point with the installation of the seventh span and one was installed at Mawa point making 150 meters visible.

The “6E” span has been successfully placed on the pillars with the efforts of local and foreign engineers.

Another new span titled ‘6-D’ is expected to be installed on the 34th and 35th pillars of the bridge at the Jajira end by March 10.

Earlier on October 14, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the name plaque of Padma Bridge Toll Plaza at the Mawa end.

According to experts, the national economy is expected to witness 1.2 percent GDP growth rate, while 0.84 percent poverty will be reduced every year after completion of the bridge to be built with an estimated cost of Taka 30,193.39 crore.

The first span of the Padma Bridge was installed on September 30, 2017. The second span was installed four months later on January 28, 2018 while the third one was placed on March 11, after one and a half months.

The fourth span was positioned on May 13, after two months. After one month and 16 days, the fifth span was installed on June 29 while the sixth one was placed on January 23, 2019.

According to the engineers concerned, a total of 41 spans will be installed on 42 concrete pillars to complete the bridge.

risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 20, 2019/Hasan/AI