Minister inspects proposed site of 9th China-BD friendship bridge
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Islam on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection to assess the feasibility of constructing the proposed 9th China-Bangladesh Friendship Boga Bridge over the Lohalia River on the Lebukhali-Bauphal-Galachipa-Amragachia road (Z-8806) in Patuakhali.
The minister visited the proposed bridge areas at Boga and Chargarabdi on Tuesday afternoon (May 19).
Officials concerned said the bridge would bring a new momentum to the communication network in the southern region once completed.They said the project would particularly ease transportation for people of Bauphal, Galachipa, Dashmina and adjacent areas of Patuakhali, while also boosting trade and commerce. Positive impacts on tourism and the agricultural sector are also expected.
According to the Bridge Division, the proposed bridge will be 1.348 kilometres long and 15.02 metres wide. In addition to the main bridge over the river, connecting roads and other necessary infrastructure will also be constructed.Once implemented, the project is expected to improve and speed up communication between Dhaka and the southern region.
Speaking at a brief gathering after the visit, Minister Sheikh Robiul Islam said the government’s infrastructure development drive is continuing under the leadership of the Prime Minister.He said the initiative to build the Boga Bridge was taken in response to the long-standing demand of people in the southern region, as well as a video message from a child named Abira calling for the bridge.He added that implementation work would begin soon after completion of the feasibility assessment.
Among those present during the visit were Patuakhali-1 lawmaker and former Home Minister Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Patuakhali-2 (Bauphal) lawmaker Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, officials of the Bridge Division, the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, engineers, local administration officials, and political leaders and activists.
Local residents also welcomed the initiative and demanded quick implementation of the bridge project. Meanwhile, local sources said a stage had been prepared by Jamaat-e-Islami on the Boga side centring the minister’s visit. However, due to security concerns, the chief guest did not stop there for long after local BNP leaders reportedly took position at the venue over the absence of Prime Minister Tarique Zia’s photo on the banner.
Later, the minister attended a gathering near the under-construction approach road of the proposed Boga Bridge at Chargarabdi Islami Dakhil Madrasa ground.
