The Padma Shetu, a Golden Dream of Bangladesh

Introduction: The Padma Bridge standing proudly straddling the two banks of mighty Paden is not merely an architectural wonder. It is also the pinnacle of the nation's pride and ambitions. How is this bridge going to benefit the country? Stretching from Mawa point in Munshiganj to Jazira in Shariatpur, the bridge will hopefully contribute 1.23 per cent to the country's GDP growth, while the GDP of south-western region will see a 2.3 per cent growth. So far, the river Padma has been a big barrier to the desired social and economic growth of the 21 districts lying on its other bank and beyond. The bridge has removed that barrier making it easier for investment to flow to those districts. Thus integrated, this part of the country will begin to make its due contribution to the national economy. The achievement of such a miracle has been possible, thanks to the visionary and bold leadership of the prime minister. For it is due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's single-minded will to overcome all odds that the dream bridge could finally see the light of day. 

Inception of the Idea and Plan-How it started to work-obstacles it forced: After coming back in power in 2009, Sheikh Hasina and her dream project faced a major setback as the World Bank cancelled $1.2 billion loan stating that it cannot, should not and will not turn a blind eye to evidence of corruption in the project. Although a Canadian court later dismissed the allegation, the Asian, Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also left the project at a time when Hasina's grip on power was weak. However, Hasina did not leave her dream project behind and seven years later, she again fuelled the construction of the bridge with the national income finally the dream comes true today when she inaugurated the bridge. The successful completion of the project after the World Bank chose to dump it has brought the country invaluable experience in conceiving, financing and executing projects of mega-scale. It has set an admirable example of self-dependency across the world. It is a mega project of Bangladesh completely financed by the Government of Bangladesh. With the construction of the Padma bridge, the Bangladesh government has set an example for other countries in South Asia by constructing the bridge on its own money which will no doubt encourage other countries to come forward to develop good regional connectivity by taking on more projects like this. 

Inception of the plan and idea: The pre-feasibility test of building the Padma Bridge was conducted in 1999 by the Awami League government. On 4 July 2001, the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Padma Bridge. After a detailed study, the Japanese donor agency JICA recommended the construction of the Padma Bridge at the Mawa-Jazira end in 2004. The bridge project hit a snag as the World Bank in 2012 cancelled its $1.2 billion credit, saying it had evidence of a corruption conspiracy involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and individuals. Work on the main bridge began in November 2014. According to the bridge department, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of the main bridge on 12 December 2015. The first span of the Padma Bridge was installed in 2017. It took about three years and two months to install the remaining 40 spans. After the delay caused by flood situation and global coronavirus pandemic, 10 spans were installed in the last two months.

With the installation of the 41st span today (10 December) the entire 6.15km bridge from Munshiganj's Mawa to Shariatpur's Zajira is visible. The government is planning to open the Padma Bridge to traffic in December 2021. However, the relevant sources say, it may take a little more time. 

It's specialty: According to experts, it is second only to the Amazon River in the world in terms of water flow. Originating from the Himalayas, Padma came to Rajshahi over India and took its name. The river joins the Jamuna at Goalanda and the Meghna at Chandpur to the east. According to official sources, the maximum depth of the Padma is 1,561 feet (479 meters) and the average depth is 968 feet (295 meters). Studies say, the water that flows at Mawa Point every 20 seconds is equal to the water used in the capital all day. I lakh 40 thousand cubic meters of water flows in the Padma every second. The soil at the bottom of the river is usually very soft like a layer of sand. Whatever is to be ingested is like swallowing. In other countries, bedrock is easily found at the bottom of rivers when Padma shown exception. The Bedrock in Padma is being found in much deeper. The water level from the bottom of the river Padma is equal to that of a 13-storey building. Ganga on one side, Brahmaputra on the other- the waters of these two huge and long rivers of South Asia are named after this Padma in the Bay of Bengal. These two rivers carry the most sediment in the world. Many areas of Bangladesh have been formed by the siltation of the two rivers. The river is about six kilometers wide at the bridge construction site. The bridge has to cope with the pressure of the current coming down from the upper reaches. 

Impacts on Bangladesh: Reliable infrastructure plays a key role in economic growth. Studies have found positive relationship between infrastructure and economic output in many countries. This happens through gross domestic capital formation, employment, trade and human capital. Good infrastructure enhances productive capacity and improves competitiveness of a country. There is ample evidence that infrastructure and output are mutually beneficial. That is, infrastructure boosts output and higher output also leads to better infrastructure. The Padma Bridge is estimated to increase the GDP of the country by more than one percent. It will benefit about three crore people across 21 south-western districts of Bangladesh. These districts will be connected with the growth centres through better connectivity. They can be used as economic corridors. This will create opportunities for employment and income. The transportation system will be improved as movement of people will be enhanced. Supply chains within the country will be connected better. Goods and services will move smoothly from one place to another. People from the south-western parts of the country are also expected to have better access to education, healthcare and other services. Not only will people move to the urban areas easily, opportunities will also come to the rural areas. This will change the rural economy which is already undergoing transformation. The share of the agriculture sector to the GDP of the country has declined significantly with the emergence of non-farm activities in the rural areas. This was facilitated by several factors including better communication and connectivity. 

How it started to work: The Padma Bridge has its eventful history. We all know the historical events of its making. After hiring consultants in 2009, they started working. Development partners and lenders expressed interest in lending for the Padma Bridge project. A loan proposal was given by World Bank offering 1000 million dollars, ADB 500 million dollars, JICA 300 million dollars at very low interest rates. After talks between the bridge division and lenders the proposal for the two- storied bridge like one in Denmark was granted. Its cost was earmarked at 2.4 million dollars or 16,970 crore taka. A four-lane road will be built on the steel-based infrastructure, and under the bridge a rail line will be built. Development partners finalised the debt proposal. Papers were signed to allocate 1200 million dollars from World Bank, 615 million from ADB, 430 million from Japan and 140 million from IDB. In 2010 expenditure of the bridge was fixed at 2,972 million dollars or Tk 20,507 crore. In 2011 the World Bank stated that they found credible evidence of corruption conspiracy and then refused to sanction the proposed loan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the World Bank to prove this type of allegation. World Bank complained to Canadian Royal MountedPolice against Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin. After that a case was filed in Canada. On 28th June 2012 World Bank's president Robert Zoellick cancelled the debt contract of Padma Bridge. Then other debt firms and donors also went back. The secretary of the ministry of bridge was sent on forced retirement. That time the secretary was Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan. World Bank directed Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to file a case against former minister of communication Syed Abul Hossain, former minister of state Abul Hasan Chowdhury and Finance Adviser Dr. Mashiur Rahman. ACC however arrested former secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan. He lost his job also. But World Bank did not give the loan assistance at all. Due to the delay of the World Bank, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 31, 2013 rejected the loan of the World Bank and announced the construction of the Padma Bridge with own funds. This was a bold decision. Historical decision. Work on the Padma Bridge was inaugurated in 2015. The first span of the Padma Bridge was laid in 2016. The last span was set up on 10 December 2020. 

Conclusion: The Padma Multipurpose Bridge will transform the lives of nearly 30 million people living in thecountry's southwest region, promoting industrial and commercial activities and increasing economic andemployment opportunities, according to various studies and reviews on the major economic impact ofthe bridge project. At least 30 million people, almost one fifth of the country's total population, will directly benefit from the bridge.