Padma Bridge further improved Bangladesh's connectivity sector: WB VP

The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC has celebrated the grand opening of the long-cherished Padma Multipurpose Bridge with much enthusiasm and fanfare.

The embassy organised a discussion session at its Bangabandhu Auditorium yesterday night before the grand opening of the bridge in Bangladesh today.

Taking part in the discussion, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam said, "Padma Bridge is our pride and it's a symbol of our glory and self-dignity."

Prime Minister and Bangabandhu's worthy daughter Sheikh Hasina has fulfilled the long-aspired dream of 180 million people of the country by completing the work of the bridge with Bangladesh's self-funding," he added.

He also said by building the bridge, the Prime Minister has shown the whole world that Bangabandhu's Bangladesh has the capacity and capability to implement such a mega project.

Earlier, Deputy Chief of the Mission Ferdousi Shahriar delivered the welcome remarks.

World Bank (WB) Vice-President Junaid Kamal Ahmed and North Carolina Central University Professor Dr ABM Nasir took part in the discussion as special guests.

The WB vice-president said the construction of the Padma Bridge is a matter of glory for the country. The country's connectivity witnessed huge progress in the last few years, and the Padma Bridge has further improved the sector, he said.

Junaid Ahmed expressed hope that the Padma Bridge would make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's attainment of a middle-income country status as well as graduation to a higher-income county soon.

He termed the relationship between the World Bank and Bangladesh as deep, saying that the World Bank is continuing support to Bangladesh's different sectors including local government and energy.

The Bangladesh Chancery was illuminated marking the grand opening of the Padma Bridge.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the much-anticipated 6.15- kilometre Padma Bridge at 10:00 am today.