Government to construct second Padma Bridge

The government is set to construct a second Padma Bridge, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said.

He made the remarks on Monday after a preparatory meeting at the Secretariat on ensuring safe travel during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

“We are going to build a second Padma Bridge. The feasibility study has already been completed. Now we are considering and discussing financing, and other preparatory work is also progressing,” the minister said.

Highlighting additional safety measures for Eid travel, he said extra precautions have been taken on waterways. “The investigation into the bus accident at Aricha Ghat, where a vehicle fell into the river, found brake failure as the cause. To prevent such incidents, a barricade system will be introduced on ferries so that no new vehicles can enter until the ferry is completely cleared,” he said.

The minister also said new regulations have been introduced at Sadarghat for speedboat and launch operations. “From now on, speedboat passengers will not be allowed to board launches directly. They must use designated pontoons. A new connecting bridge has also been constructed for this purpose,” he added.

He further noted that Eid management this year will be highly challenging due to the movement of over 15 million people and transportation of nearly 10 million sacrificial animals. “However, if all agencies work in coordination, suffering and accidents can be significantly reduced,” he said.