The Padma Bridge will change the landscape of the country’s southwestern region, connecting a number of countries of South and Southeast Asia.
Experts opine that the bridge will contribute largely to the development of communication, trade, industry, tourism, and many other sectors in various ways.
South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) executive director Dr Selim Raihan said, “The realization of a dream began with the installation of the last span to the Padma Bridge. The bridge will open the door to many possibilities.”
It is expected that this mega bridge has created a new hope of development in the south-western region of the country. It is estimated that the Padma Bridge will help create $155 billion investment opportunity by 2030.
One of the major developments would be the reduction in poverty in the southern region as vast job opportunities will be created once the bridge is opened to traffic.
Referring to a study on the opportunities that may open once the multipurpose Padma Bridge is completed, he said, “Before the start of the construction work of the bridge, I said in a study, if this project is implemented, the country's GDP will increase up to 1.2 percent. At that time railway was not included in the survey. Now that the railway is also connected with the bridge the estimated growth will be even higher.”
“Sadly, however, after the completion of the Jamuna Bridge, industrialization did not take place at desired level in North Bengal. But the authorities concerned, therefore, should ensure infrastructure development and ancillary plans, including gas connections for the rapid economic development of the southwestern region,” he added.
“As the bridge is connecting two major seaports of the country and for the geographical position, neighbouring countries are showing interests in using those ports. In such a situation, the authorities can create separate economic zones in the south-western region, which may further push our GDP up,” Raihan continued.
Kazi Aminul Haque, president of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) told Bangladesh Post, “Actually it’s not possible to describe in words what benefits we are going to have. Economic engagement in our region will grow significantly. Factories will be built in this region due to faster connectivity with the ports. It will also increase the export of frozen fish and jute products from Khulna division.”
Barishal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce president Nizamuddin said, "We can't imagine how much the Padma Bridge will bring about a change in the pace of the economy in the south-west of the country."
Meanwhile, various industrial groups have shown interests in investing in the Barishal region. They have started taking initiative to set up factories there.
Once the bridge is open to traffic, districts which will gain benefit from the Padma Bridge economically are Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Satkhira, Narail, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Magura, Barishal, Pirojpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Jhalokati (Barishal), Gopalganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Rajbari.
Considering the prospects, the government is constructing Payra Deep Seaport where goods are being loaded and unloaded. Power generation will start from a coal-fired thermal power plant which is under construction at Lalua Union near Payra port covering an area of one thousand acres of land.
Payra Seaport Officials said when a port is built, factories develop in surrounding areas creating huge job opportunities. Thus, the PayraPort will be a blessing for the entire southern region.
Besides, work on the country's second submarine cable network has been completed in Patuakhali’s Kalapara. Sheikh Hasina Cantonment is also being built in Barishal, ICT Park (Hi-Tech Park), Air Force Radar Center, Bangabandhu Novo Theater and numerous economic zones are being set up centering the Padma Bridge.
Meanwhile, the newly-opened Dhaka-Mawa elevated expressway is attracting crowds everyday. Experts said the bridge will also open vast opportunities to the country’s formal tourism industry. Kuakata, Barishal, and other areas will be tourist hubs for domestic and foreign tourists as well in future.
The 6.15-kilomtere Padma Bridge is also expected to facilitate agriculture development in the southern region, known as the granaries of the country.
It will also boost the image of the country abroad since it will connect the country to the Trans Asian Network.
A huge enthusiasm is prevailing in the country about the bridge and national and international companies are increasingly showing interest in investing in Bangladesh. There is a big competition in purchasing land in the south-western zone of the country and the price of land has been found increasing as businesspeople from Dhaka and other parts of the country are rushing to the zone.