Despite frantic bids of controversial Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and his band of anti-Bangladesh elements who had exerted evil influence in misleading the World Bank from funding Bangladesh’s dream project – Padma Bridge over the river of Padma, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown the world, how a developing nation like Bangladesh can implement such gigantic project with its own funding.
And now, nations in the world are applauding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for implanting this project as well as for transforming an economically struggled Bangladesh into the Economic Super Star.
Recently, a number of Pakistani English publications in an article, applauding the completion of this huge project has termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the epitome of Bangladesh’s development. It said, Sheikh Hasina had to walk on the path of huge obstacles but she has reached her destination and established the truth by firmly confronting the conspiracy that was spread at the birth of the Padma Bridge.
Dr Malika-e-Abida Khattak in the article titled ‘Story of Bangladesh’s Padma Bridge: More than just a bridge’ wrote: The world got a chance to know once again the capacity of Bangladesh in the Hasina era.
Bangladesh is a country that has repeatedly shown its capabilities. As a result of the construction of the Padma Bridge with its own money, the economic potential and image of Bangladesh have been established all over the world.
About the conspiracy against the bridge she wrote that the World Bank withdrew its pledge on false charges of corruption, and other donors followed suit. The future of the Padma Bridge was under a threat and the construction work on the Padma Bridge became uncertain and critics then burst out laughing, creating a flurry of negative comments that it would not be possible for Sheikh Hasina to build Padma Bridge.
The then communications minister Abul Hossain had to resign from the cabinet. This was the beginning picture of the construction of the Padma Bridge. But after the construction work started, a great challenge came up. Bold and groundbreaking engineering skills were required in river governance and piling. At the same time, construction costs continue to rise.
Canadian court, however, didn’t find any proof of the Padma bridge bribery conspiracy, said the article.
“Today, the Padma Bridge is visible. The bridge of pride stands today. As a result of the construction of the Padma Bridge with its own money, the economic potential and image of Bangladesh have been established all over the world. A bold decision by the Prime Minister has earned her international recognition as a self-confident, determined statesman”, said Dr Malika-e-Abida Khattak.
She further wrote:
The construction was in full swing when Corona’s attack started. But the work did not stop even for a single day due to the indomitable will of Sheikh Hasina. Work on the Padma Bridge has moved forward by tackling Corona. When everyone saw that the work of the bridge was progressing under her leadership, some dishonest conspirators started spreading rumors.
Rumors were spread that a man’s head would be needed to build bridges. The government has also dealt with it efficiently. It is not only the Padma Bridge that is being built due to the indomitable will of Sheikh Hasina but also the work of Metro Rail and the country’s biggest tunnel is nearing completion. They will be open to the public this year.
Many other projects including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Matarbari project, construction of Bangabandhu Railway Bridge over river Jamuna, construction of Pyra seaport, and construction of Bangabandhu industrial city are remarkable. But the construction of the Padma Bridge was the most challenging of all. The Padma Bridge is not just a bridge but a great asset to the country.
Padma Bridge is a multi-purpose road and railway bridge built over the Padma River in Bangladesh. The southwestern part of the country will be connected to the north-eastern part. Construction of the 6.15 km long and 18.10 m wide bridge started on December 7, 2014.
Bangladesh’s economic progress, continuous GDP growth, and improvement of Bangladesh’s position in various social indicators are recognized internationally today. The sacrifices made by the Prime Minister for this bridge, and the success of the implementation of the Padma Bridge project have made that sacrifice justified.
Initially, the construction cost was low, but later it increased a few points and stood at US$ 3.868 Billion. Both construction time and construction costs increased. Although there are differing views on construction costs, the most promising thing is that the bridge has been completed and will be open to the public in June.
The bridge is deeply connected with politics, economics, culture and social phenomenon. Building the bridge was a major political challenge for Bangladesh. After opening the bridge, the country’s economy will rise. The structure of the country’s economy will change. There will be massive development in agriculture. The bridge will create a groundbreaking chapter in the transportation of agricultural commodities from the southwestern region to the capital. Farmers will get good prices for their produce. Extensive industrialization will take place in the southwestern region of the country centered on the Padma Bridge.
The Padma Bridge could become a part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
There will be a revolution in the field of communication and transportation. The development of the tourism industry will be achieved through the bridge. A 6-lane expressway has been constructed at the country’s Munshiganj and Shariatpur sections of the bridge which is very eye-catching and captivating. This bridge will play a unique role in the field of culture. Resorts, hotels and restaurants will be built around this bridge where Bengali food will be served which will make Bengali culture more familiar to foreigners.
This bridge will further strengthen the rail link with the southwestern part of the country. People will be able to travel comfortably in a short time from Dhaka. Various business establishments will be built around the bridge and the standard of living of the people of the South West will be multiplied If the name of Padma Bridge is pronounced, the name of Sheikh Hasina should be pronounced. Although it is not named after her, people will know from generation to generation that this bridge was made possible because of her.
Sheikh Hasina has taken the great challenge of Padma Bridge and won. Bangladesh has already become a developing country. Padma Bridge will take the country faster. This bridge will play a unique role in taking Bangladesh to the line of developed countries. The decision of building the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge, which is set to open for traffic on June 25, brightened the country’s image in the world and also accelerated the nation’s confidence.
More about the Padma Bridge
The Padma Bridge, a multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River, the main distributary of Ganges is considered to be the most challenging construction project in the history of Bangladesh. The two-level steel truss bridge carries a four-lane highway on the upper level and a single-track railway on a lower level. The bridge with 150.12 meter (492.50 feet) long spans, 6.150 meters total length and 22.50-meter width, the longest bridge in Bangladesh, and is the longest over Ganges in term of both span and the total length. The highest depth of pile of this bridge is 122 meters, which is highest among all other bridges.
Anti-Bangladesh conspiracy continues
Despite the fact of Bangladesh’s tremendous progress under the magnanimous leadership of Sheikh Hasina, an evil nexus of anti-Bangladesh forces is continuing numerous forms of conspiracies against the country. Such notoriety is increasing as the country is going to hold the next general elections in December 2023. Anti-Bangladesh conspirators, including Jamaat-e-Islami as well as radical Islamic militancy forces such as Hefazat-e-Islam, Ansar Al Islam, Hizbut Tahrir etcetera are in one hand spreading bogus propaganda against Bangladesh with the nefarious agenda of misleading policymakers in the western nations and in another hand, they are trying to push 1.20 Rohingyas in Bangladesh towards terrorism and militancy. It may be mentioned here that, back in 2017, Bangladesh temporarily sheltered over 1.20 million Rohingyas when they were fleeing Myanmar amid genocide. Since then, Bangladesh has been calling upon the international community to exert maximum pressure of Myanmar for immediately taking-back their Rohingya citizens. Unfortunately, although more than five years have passed, there is no visible initiative from the Myanmar side in this regard.
It may be mentioned here that, due to frustration of seeing no light about returning to Myanmar, Rohingyas already have started joining criminal activities, including drug, weapon and human trafficking, as well as terrorism and jihad. In my opinion, while the international community, as well as regional powers such as China and India are showing reluctance and negligence in putting effective pressure on Myanmar in taking-back these over 1.20 million Rohingyas from Bangladesh, the ultimate consequence would be real catastrophic to China, India and other nations in the region and beyond. Major nations in the world, including the US, Britain, European Union, Canada, Australia and Russia also need to do everything on their part in compelling Myanmar in taking back Rohingyas from Bangladesh immediately.
At the same time, it is my sincerest hope that Bangladesh’s mission abroad will play effective and visible role in raising the Rohingya issue frequently with the international media in particular. Global community also needs to know the ongoing prosperity of Bangladesh and how Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working selflessly for the people of this country.
