Putting aside the doubts of halting the construction work of the Padma Bridge rail link due to the coronavirus outbreak, uninterrupted work is going on as the authority concerned is committed to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.
Visiting the construction site, this correspondent found that tall pillars stand high adjacent to the Padma Bridge where railway line will be installed following the installation of the spans.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming recently said, “We believe that China’s large-scale production and operation activities in Bangladesh will not undergo a significant adverse impact due to the outbreak”.
He was speaking at a press conference on whether the outbreak of coronavirus is affecting major projects undertaken by different Chinese companies. The press briefing was organised by China Railway Group Limited in Keraniganj's Jinjira recently.
“We have taken stringent measures so that coronavirus cannot come to Bangladesh,” the ambassador had added.
Engr Md Kamruzzaman, deputy project director of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, also echoed the voice of the Chinese ambassador.
“The Chinese Authority is training up our local wielders to cover the shortage. At the same time they have brought four robotic wielder machines. Those machines have already started working,” said Kamruzzaman.
The government is optimistic of completing the project by June 2021. When completed it will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh. It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions. Estimates suggest that the mega structure will boost Bangladesh’s GDP by 1.2 percent.
Authorities also aim to open the Padma railway connection on the opening day of the bridge.
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