Padma Bridge: A great illustration of Bangladesh’s efficiency

Majhar Mannan :
The Padma Bridge bears the signature of Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership. Building the bridge was a major political challenge for the government. The government was committed to fulfilling its political promises. The country’s economy will benefit the most after the bridge is opened. The face of the country’s economy will change. There will be massive development of agriculture. The bridge will create a groundbreaking chapter in the transportation of agricultural commodities from the southwestern region. 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. Possible tourism is peeking around the Padma Bridge. At present, the number of visitors in the bridge area is more than 10 thousand on Friday and Saturday. There are lots of tourists on other days of the week too. The number of tourists will increase after the inauguration. The tourism sector and the country’s economy will turn around. Several tour agencies have already announced one-day package tours in the bridge area. New tourist destinations will be set up in the south-western region. These tourist centers will provide employment to many people. The Padma division (consisting of Faridpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Gopalganj) will be developed. The country’s economic growth will increase by 1.2 percent. Poverty will be alleviated at the rate of 0.84 percent per annum. A 6-lane expressway has been constructed at Munshiganj and Shariatpur sections of the bridge which is very eye-catching and captivating. The night expressway takes on a different look. The breathtaking view of Bhanga Chattar will captivate the viewers. The 415 lampposts of the bridge will give a different look to the bridge. The bridge will become the queen of the night. Communication through Padma Bridge will be very comfortable and jam free. In a short time people will be able to travel long distances. 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. The Padma Bridge will increase the country’s GDP and increase per capita income.
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. The Padma Bridge will be a unique example of the beauty of the country. The Padma Bridge built on clear blue water will become the queen of beauty. Various business establishments will be built around the bridge and the standard of living of the people of the South West will be multiplied. All in all, the Padma Bridge will serve as a milestone in the overall development of the country.
Within three years, there will be new industrial zones on both sides of the bridge and new bus routes. Padma Bridge will take the country faster. This bridge will play a unique role in making Bangladesh as a developed country. The common man will be the biggest beneficiary of this bridge. Padma Bridge is our national resource. A master plan has already been made for the Padma Bridge. The Padma Bridge project has a grand plan to build an animal museum and a wildlife sanctuary. The museum will house about 500 wild animals. This museum will be used mainly for educational purposes. Work is also underway to build a wildlife sanctuary around the bridge area. The sanctuary is being set up mainly for the migration and breeding of other aquatic animals including Hilsa. Lots of trees have been planted in the project area to maintain the balance of the environment. We also need to think about the security of these national resources. Padma Bridge is our pride, our ornament, our pride.

(The writer is Assistant Professor, B A F Shaheen College Kurmitola, Dhaka Cantonment).