Padma bridge construction: Cost will be realised in 18-20 years

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told a parliament session that the construction cost of Padma Bridge would be realised through toll collection in just 18 to 20 years, which is a much shorter period than anticipated earlier.

Referring to allegations that the construction cost was too high, she said the cost was reasonable when compared to the cost of bridges built in contemporary times.

"There was no chance for corruption here," she said in her speech.

It was earlier thought that realising the cost would take 25 years, Hasina said in her nearly 45-minute speech, which was mostly about the government's success in constructing the 6.15km bridge, defying all odds at home and abroad.

Earlier on June 27, Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader at parliament said, "Bangladesh Bridge Authority will repay all the loans given by the government in 140 quarterly instalments in 35 years with the toll collected from vehicles using the Padma Bridge."

The bridge inaugurated on June 25 connects 21 south-western districts with Dhaka.

The PM yesterday said the bridge would be particularly beneficial to the country's economy. "We believe we will improve a lot."

The rail lines, river training, the rising costs of land and several other factors had increased the cost of the Padma Bridge.

The budget session was prorogued yesterday with 20 sittings. A total of 228 MPs spoke for 36.36 hours on the 2022-23 budget.