Govt plans second Padma and Jamuna bridges
The government has announced plans to construct a second Padma Bridge by 2032, a second Jamuna Bridge by 2033, and the Dhaka–Chattogram Expressway, aiming to address rising traffic and future transport demands.
These initiatives are part of the BNP’s election pledge and are under active consideration by the Bridges Division.
For the second Padma Bridge, officials are exploring the Paturia-Daulatdia corridor, with initial options including Paturia–Goalanda and Aricha–Nagarbari.
The bridge, approximately 4.9 kilometres long, will connect national highways N5 and N7, providing direct access from Dhaka to the western and south-western regions.
Completion of the bridge will also improve connectivity to major land ports, such as Benapole and Darshana, as well as the Mongla seaport, enhancing trade and logistics efficiency.
Meanwhile, the second Jamuna Bridge is under study to relieve congestion on the existing four-lane bridge, which remains a bottleneck despite six-lane approach roads. Feasibility studies are considering multiple routes, including Bogura–Jamalpur, Balashi Ghat in Gaibandha to Dewanganj Ghat in Jamalpur, or other suitable corridors.
The Bridges Division has indicated that the final alignment, cost estimation, and funding approach whether government-funded, foreign-financed, or via public private partnership will follow once studies are completed.
Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf highlighted that while upgrading the approach roads has improved traffic flow, the current bridge capacity is insufficient for growing demand.
He stressed that the second bridges are critical to regional connectivity, noting that the Padma Bridge links to Asian Highway-1, while the Jamuna Bridge connects to AH2 and AH41.
The Dhaka–Chattogram Expressway, described by Rouf as the “lifeline of the economy,” is intended to provide high-speed, uninterrupted travel between the capital and the country’s key industrial and port regions.
While the Roads and Highways Department is widening the existing highway to six lanes, the Bridges Division is considering an elevated expressway to further reduce travel times and support freight movement, trade, and logistics.
The expressway could also link east and west Bangladesh via an outer ring road connected to the Mawa Expressway.
For FY27, the Bridges Division has set five priorities: construction and expansion of major bridges and tunnels, maintenance and modernisation of existing infrastructure, building approach roads, land acquisition and rehabilitation, and development of elevated expressways.
Currently, the division manages 57 ongoing and planned projects with a total estimated cost of Tk12,96,573 crore, including Tk36,648 crore for ongoing initiatives and Tk12,59,925 crore for future projects.
Notable ongoing projects include the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway, widening and double-decker roads from Panchabati to Muktarpur Bridge, the Payra Bridge, and a bridge over the Meghna–Dhonagoda river.
These projects reflect the government’s long-term vision to strengthen infrastructure, reduce congestion, and support economic growth through improved transport networks.
