A contract was signed on Sunday at the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) conference room between BBA and IUT–Devcon JV to conduct a feasibility study for refurbishing the deck and associated works to ensure proper use of the Jamuna Bridge’s existing railway lane, prepare detailed designs, and complete a pre-feasibility study for a future annex bridge.
Under the agreement, the parties concluded a financial contract totalling Tk 142.98 crore.
Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Secretary, Bridges Division and Executive Director of BBA, attended the signing as chief guest. Kazi Md. Ferdaus, Chief Engineer, signed on behalf of BBA, while Professor Dr Shakil Mohammad Rifat signed for IUT–Devcon JV. Senior officials of the Bridges Division and BBA, along with representatives of IUT–Devcon JV, were present.
According to the contract, the consultancy will provide technical advice to reorganise all components on the Jamuna Bridge deck so that the current two-lane, one-way traffic with a width of 6.315 metres can be converted to a two-lane, one-way arrangement 7.30 metres wide. The consultant will prepare survey reports and designs, draw up the Bills of Quantities (BOQ), technical specifications and tender documents for contractor selection, and support construction supervision.
At the ceremony, the Bridges Division Secretary said the project will be implemented swiftly following the signing, under the guidance of Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, to reduce public inconvenience.
He noted that the contract will ensure due feasibility of refurbishing the existing railway lane deck and related ancillary works, making this vital section fit for effective and safe use. As a result, severe congestion on the bridge and approach roads—particularly during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha—is expected to decrease significantly.
To accommodate growing traffic and improve connectivity between the country’s eastern and western regions, a pre-feasibility study will also be completed for a new annex bridge alongside the existing span over the Jamuna River, assessing the prospective location, technical challenges, economic impacts and environmental aspects.
