Around 9:00am on Sunday, the gigantic gantry cranes departed the construction yard carrying the massive three thousand ton span of Padma Bridge. It reached the pillar 31 and 32 around 10:00am.
Even though the span was supposed to be erected on January 31, adverse weather conditions prevented this from happening.
Moreover, construction of another pillar Padma Bridge has also been completed. With this the construction of 37 pillars has been accomplished.
Sources said that construction of the remaining five pillars will be completed by next April. The plan is to have all the Span Pillar installed by July.
Padma Bridge project executive engineer Dewan Abdul Quader said that Padma Bridge’s 23rd span was supposed to be installed in January 31. But it was not possible because of adverse weather. Although as per plans three spans are to be installed each month, the number was only two in January. However, that number will increase in February.
More than a kilometer of rail slabs have been installed over the spans. And, about 400 meters of roadway slabs or road work has been completed. So far, the completed percentage of main bridge work is 85.05. The overall progress of the bridge construction is 76.05 percent.
He also said that the coronavirus has had some effect on the construction of the Padma Bridge. About 11 hundred Chinese citizens are working on this project of them about 200 went to China to celebrate New Year. Many of them are trapped there because of coronavirus outbreak.
“We have taken precautionary measures to combat coronavirus. Separate arrangements have been made for Chinese officials for their stay and meals. It is emphasized that those who serve them should always wear safety dresses. Even though they are all healthy,” the official added.
