PM to open Bangmata Bridge today

The much-awaited "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" over Kacha river at Bekutia of Pirojpur is set to be opened today, reports  BSS. 

With opening of the bridge, it will materialize the dream of millions of people of the country's southwestern region.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually inaugurate the bridge at 10:30am," Pirojpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Jahedur Rahman told a press briefing.

Necessary measures have been taken centering inauguration of the bridge, he said, adding that two rallies will be held on the east and west banks of the Kacha river (bridge) on the occasion. 

Lawmaker of Pirojpur-1 constituency and Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim will be present at the west bank rally while lawmaker of Pirojpur-2 constituency and former communications minister Anwar Hossain Manju will be present at the east bank rally, the DC said. 

The bridge has been built over the Kacha river as per the premier commitment which she made on March 19 in 2013 at a public rally in the district.

The constriction work of the bridge was started on November 1 in 2018. 

The Roads and Highways Department constructed the 1,493 meter-long and 13.40 meter-wide "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" at a cost of Taka 894.08 crore. 

The Chinese government gave Taka 654.80 crore as project assistance for the bridge while Bangladesh government spent Taka 239.80 crore. 

The timeframe for completing the construction work of the bridge was December this year, but the bridge was handed over five months earlier to the Bridge Division on August 7 this year.

A 220 meter long and 55 meter wide recreation area has been developed on the river bank at the eastern end of the bridge.

Besides, a 60 meter long and 5 meter wide bituminous road adjacent to the approach road and a 60 meter long and 5 meter wide concrete road under the approach road were constructed at the eastern end of the bridge while a 120 meter long and 3.50 meter wide concrete road was constructed at the western end. While 220 meters of river training was also done.

The project manager of this bridge, Masud Mahmud Sujan, said that the bridge was built by China Rail Watch 17 Bureau Group Company Limited under the supervision of Chinese Major Bridge Reconnaissance and Design Institute Company Limited.

Vice-President of Pirojpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Golam Mawla Nakeb thanked the Prime Minister for constructing the bridge, saying with the inauguration of the bridge, a new horizon will be opened in the economic development of this region.

"Due to the establishment of direct road connection with the country's 2nd largest beach- Sagarkanya Kuakata- and one of the world's mangrove forest Sundarbans, this region will become bustling with tourists from home and abroad and its heart will be Pirojpur," he added.

Noting that there will be no hindrance in the road communications between the divisional city Barisal and the divisional city and industrial city Khulna, Nakeb said the bridge will help to establish direct road connectivity among the deep sea port Payra, country's 2nd sea port Mongla and the largest land port Benapole. 

Valiant Freedom Fighter MA Rabbani Feroze said the Bangmata Bridge will expand the economic activities in the southwestern part of the country.

It will establish direct road links between Sheikh Hasina Cantonment in Patuakhali and Jashore cantonment.

Nazirpur Upazila Parishad Chairman Amulya Ranjan Halder said, "We no longer have to wait for a long time for ferry to go to our divisional city Barisal".