With the installation of the 13th span at Mawa point on Saturday, a total of 1,950 metres of the 6.15-kilometre Padma Multipurpose Bridge has become visible now. The 150-meter ‘3-B’ span was installed on the 14 and 15 pillars of this mega bridge at 10:25am on the day. A total of 41 spans will be installed on 42 concrete pillars of the bridge. According to the project details, the construction of the 6.15-kilometre long Padma Bridge is going on in full swing with target to complete it as soon as possible.
The Padma Multipurpose Bridge started becoming visible with the installation of 150-metre span on pillars 37 and 38 on October 30, 2017. Work on the country's largest bridge started in December 2015. On October 14, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the name plaque of the Padma Bridge Toll Plaza at the Mawa end.
The national economy is expected to witness 1.2 percent GDP growth rate, while 0.84 percent poverty will decrease every year after being completed the construction work of the bridge 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.
On the other hand, the first railway span was set up on the viaduct of the Padma Bridge at the Jajira end of Shariatpur on May 17. As per the project details, a total of 14 railway spans will be installed on the spans. The length of each span is 38m, comprising of six I-girders. A total of 84 girders will be set up on the rail viaduct on both sides of the Bridge.
According to Railways Ministry, the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project’ will establish rail link between Mawa and Bhanga via Jajira and Shibchar through the Padma Multipurpose Bridge. It will connect Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Narail and Jashore.
The Chinese government-nominated contractor China Railway Group Limited is implementing the project under China G2G system. Under the project, 23 km ballast-less elevated viaduct rail line will be constructed.
On the elevated viaduct, two platforms, one mainline and two loop lines will be constructed along with installation of elevators. China Railway Group Limited is implementing the project under China G2G system.