The bridge that opened doors
Eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge boosting economy of southwestern region
Mahmud Hasan Jewel could never think of doing business or getting a job in Pirojpur Sadar before the bridge over the Kocha river was built.
"We had to wait for two to three hours to cross the river by ferry. And I had no idea whether ferries would be available after midnight. Now, I can return home from Pirojpur Sadar in 10 minutes using the bridge," said Jewel, a resident of Pirojpur's Kawkhali.
He is one of the four partners who started Chandrabindu Party Palace and Resort Centre near the toll plaza of Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, which was opened to the public on September 4.
Jewel said anticipating business opportunities, he and three of his friends set up the restaurant on 40 decimals of land, investing a total of Tk 15 lakh.
The restaurant opened in early July, when daily sales were worth Tk 7,000. After the bridge opened, the establishment started making around Tk 17,000 worth of sales a day.
We had to wait for two to three hours to cross the river by ferry. And I had no idea whether ferries would be available after midnight. Now, I can return home from Pirojpur Sadar in 10 minutes using the bridge.
"I believe sales will go up even further, as more restaurants are being built nearby and there will be more traffic," he told this correspondent on Friday.
China Railway 17th Bureau Group Co Ltd constructed the 2.96-kilometre bridge, which was handed over to the Roads and Highways Department. The Chinese government has provided Tk 654 crore of Tk 894 crore, the total cost.
The bridge established direct road connectivity between Khulna and Barishal divisions. This connectivity covers Kuakata beach, Payra deep-sea port, Mongla sea port, and Benapole land port, said Weng Changnuin, deputy project manager of the bridge project.
Locals and businesses said the bridge has started contributing to trade and tourism. Moreover, it will promote better development of industries like agriculture, manufacturing, fishery and tourism in southern Bangladesh.
During a visit, this correspondent found the bridge buzzing with tourists, who were taking photos and enjoying the river-view in an autumn afternoon. New businesses are being set up by the roadside on both parts of the bridge, and along the riverbanks.
People from Barishal division can now easily go to Khulna to see the Sundarbans and Patuakhali sea beach, as well as for business purposes, said Jewel.
"Spices in Khulna are more abundant and cheaper. So, we can easily travel to Khulna and buy the stuff," he said. "So, people can do more business and get jobs."
Truckers said they can easily transport commodities from anywhere in the country to Barishal and Khulna divisions in less time, with lower transport costs.
"When there was no bridge, we had to wait for hours with trucks loaded. Now, we cross the river in a few minutes," said Jan-e-Alam, a truck driver who was going to Khulna from Bhola.
Habibur Rahman Malek, president of Pirojpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Padma Bridge and 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge have come as huge blessings for the country's southwestern region.
Before the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge opened, only two trucks used to transport produce from Pirojpur to Dhaka. Now, that number has reached 40.
The farmers and fishers in Pirojpur can now get better prices for their produce, as transport time and costs have drastically gone down. A truck needs less than five hours to reach Dhaka from Pirojpur now, whereas it took more than a day in the past.
"As Mongla port is now being used to ship produce abroad, investors can easily think of building factories in this area. And so, our industries will also flourish," Malek said.