The Padma Bridge, set to be inaugurated Saturday(2022-6-25), is not just a structure, it is a dream come true, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said Friday.
"The nation is going to witness a momentous event tomorrow. This is going to be an emotional moment marking a turning point in our national life," he added.
Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said Padma Bridge is a symbol of pride and dignity of Bangladesh.
"Padma Bridge is not just an engineering masterpiece but a symbol of pride and dignity of Bangladesh as well. All the people of this country equally share this glory," he said Friday night sharing a video from his verified Facebook account.
Joy said the future of Bangladesh hinges much on this bridge.
This bridge has connected around one-third of Bangladesh's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital, he said.
Consequently, Joy said, it will catalyze the local and international trades of Bangladesh.
In addition to transforming the economic footing of around 50 million people of the South-west part of the country, Joy said, it will also ensure a rise in the national income, meaning GDP, by at least 1.5%, a paradigm shift for the entire Bangladesh.
"Padma Bridge with my money, Padma Bridge for Bangladesh," he added.
The bridge is 10,642 kilometers long, has 41 spans connected to 42 pillars, and is the 122nd longest bridge in the world. The length of the railway viaduct is 0.532 kilometers, while the length of the main bridge is 6.15 kilometers. It is the longest bridge in Bangladesh and will significantly reduce the distance and travel time between Dhaka and the Mongla port.
It will play a significant role in regional and global trade. The distance between each pillar of the bridge is 150 meters, with the deepest piling in the world measuring 128 meters. 2015 marked the beginning of construction on the 6.15-kilometer-long bridge, which will be completed in December 2021.