The government is yet to take any decision on the extension of the Padma bridge project as proposed by its Chinese contractor.
China Major Bridge company has already submitted three proposals but the authorities said, there must be logical reasons to extend the time.
Project Director Shafiqul Islam told Bangla Tribune, “The company has to submit logical explanation why they need to extend time.”
We are yet to receive any such paper from them, he added.
Project sources said the Chinese contractor in its proposal asked for three years extension considering risks associated with implementation of the project.
Padma Bridge project advisory committee head Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury said, “We are much behind the schedule and it is obvious the project needs to be rescheduled.”
He, however, said due to rescheduling the project work will not be hampered.
“The contractor has many things to do including construction works at Jajira point,” he said.
Road Transport and Bridge Division Minister Obaidul Quader told Bangla Tribune, “The construction work is going on and its period is yet to be rescheduled. We haven’t taken any decision in this regard.’
The Padma Bridge project initiated in 2007 with an estimated cost of about Tk 102 billion which was supposed to be funded by global lenders like World Bank, Asian Development Bank and others.
But, later the World Bank backtracked from the project giving a false excuse of ‘intention of bribing’ and it compelled the government to fund the project from its own source.
At present out of 41 spans, five have already been erected and the others will be erected as soon as possible.