Location of second Padma Bridge not yet final, feasibility being re-evaluated: Minister

The government is re-evaluating the feasibility of constructing a second Padma Bridge, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, adding that no final decision has yet been made on where the bridge will be built.

The minister revealed this in an interview with a media outlet on Sunday.

Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the construction of a second Padma Bridge was in BNP's election manifesto. A feasibility study for the project had been conducted earlier, but the new government is reviewing that survey again.

He said the feasibility test for the second Padma Bridge was done some time ago and is now being rechecked.

When asked where the bridge might be constructed, the minister said possibilities are being considered around Paturia Ghat or nearby areas. However, no final decision has been taken yet.

He said the final decision on the bridge's location and the project will be made after the feasibility study is completed.

Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the current government is prioritising people-friendly and necessary infrastructure development over mega-projects. He said development for the government is not just about constructing infrastructure but also about enhancing the capacity of the country's people.

He said the government is not interested in unnecessary mega-projects but wants to focus on people-friendly mega-projects.

The minister also mentioned prioritising the Dhaka-Chattogram Elevated Expressway for road connectivity, calling it important for ensuring fast and uninterrupted connectivity between Dhaka and Chattogram.

The minister said discussions are ongoing regarding the financing model for this project, with a public-private partnership (PPP) model being considered for implementation.