The Padma Bridge, country's largest infrastructure, is now visible after the uncertainty, speculation, and criticism. Padma Bridge is no longer a dream but reality. In the presence of road transport and bridge minister Obaidul Quader on 30 September; this bridge became visible by installing the first span on two pillars in the river. And through this, Bangladesh has proved its ability to build the Padma Bridge with its own funding.
In this context, the country's leading economists give the opinion that the courage to build such an infrastructure with own funding has proved the ability of Bangladesh. The confidence of the people has increased and the bravery. But to prove the full ability, the works should be done in due time in the future. They think that Government should keep an eye on this also.
A former governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed told the Bangla Tribune, ‘Bangladesh has proved its ability through the construction project of Padma Bridge, the biggest infrastructure in Bangladesh. After this project is fully completed our capability will be obvious to all. The government will have to be more careful to ensure the quality of this project.’
"Many aspects of this project are still challenging," he said. Tackling those challenges, we have to move forward. And just when the work is completed, it will prove to be 100 percent capacity.
Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said, 'Government should be careful about the cost of the project and the time as it should not be cross its estimated time. We want the project to be implemented within the stipulated time. At the same time, the quality of the project should be ensured. After the completion of the project, when the foreign engineers will leave, we have to maintain this bridge ourselves. We have to make ourselves prepared for this.’
Agrani Bank chairman, economist Dr. Zaid Bakht told the Bangla Tribune, 'Surely this is an important matter. It certainly proved the capability of Bangladesh. It has increased our confidence. It has made us brave. This infrastructure will contribute to the national level and the economy. The matter is certainly important for the nation.
Research director of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem told the Bangla Tribune, "But there are still many challenges. These challenges have to be faced with efficiency. However, for monitoring the issues, a team of experts has been coordinated by the government. Although the construction of the bridge is doing slow, overall progress is considered positive. However, full capability depends on the full implementation of the project.
Explaining the reasons, Dr. Moazzem said, "We knew that the rail and road path will be implemented simultaneously in this bridge. That's not happening. However, it has to be emphasized that the railways should be structured on the bridge in the fastest possible time.