Railing has no relation for Padma Bridge safety-security

Cabinet Division Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam has said that the Padma Bridge railing has relation with its safety and security.

In reply to a query, he made the statement after the cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday (July 3).

Earlier, a cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in chair was held virtually.

PM joined the cabinet meeting from her official Gonobhabon residence while other ministers from the conference room of the cabinet division at the secretariat.

Anwarul Islam said, “There are talks of unfastening the screws of railing of the Padma bridge. The wall we have is up to the international standard. But the standard of our roads and highways is four feet. That is why the railing has been built one more feet high. It is not for human safety. This is to cover our standard. So the confusion that exists in different places has nothing to do with safety and security.”

“Two or three months ago, some consultants and PDs of Padma Bridge Project and I visited the recently inaugurated the latest largest bridge in Kuwait; That is 36 kilometers in the sea, we saw it. As much as we have the wall, they have been protected that level by the grill. Can you imagine this! If for some reason in the middle of the sea, vehicles will come back after hitting the wall on Padma Bridge. But they gave protection with the grill. Their protection is as much as our wall,” he added.

He said, “The Korean Express Corporation took over in the afternoon on the day of the inauguration of the Padma Bridge. They will look after toll management and maintenance from the next day. Korean Express Corporation is the best company in the world that manages highways and bridges. They are the designer and toll manager of the 17 km long Incheon Bridge. Now they will audit the Padma Bridge. They will tighten themselves through auditing.”