The Padma Bridge is a multipurpose, mega infrastructure project built to meet the transport connectivity needs of the people of Bangladesh. It is the longest bridge in the country and the first ever multi-styled bridge in the region. The bridge spans the Padma River and connects the capital Dhaka with the southwest region of Bangladesh.
The Padma Bridge is of critical importance to the economic, social and cultural development of the country. It is expected to improve regional economic productivity, regional integration and agricultural output, by facilitating access to better markets, reduced transportation costs and improved transportation networks. It is being constructed by the Government of Bangladesh under technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and other international finance institutions.
The bridge is an engineering marvel featuring modern innovative technologies and design features to ensure its structural integrity, safety and durability. It consists of a 3.2 km long main bridge and two 14 km long approach bridges. The main bridge has 65 spans of 50 meters each making it the longest in Bangladesh. It also contains two central piers of 150 meters each which are designed to resist the strong currents. The approach bridges used floating pontoons and other advanced methods to provide the necessary stability.
The construction of the Padma Bridge began in 2009 and was finally completed in 2020. The project included several large-scale operations such as roadway construction and embankment works. Thirty-five dredgers and forty-eight large scale girders were used in various sections of the bridge. The bridge also includes sophisticated communication, navigation and safety systems.
The Padma Bridge will undoubtedly have profound economic, cultural and social impacts on the nation’s development. It will link the southwest of the country to the nation’s capital, providing a vital link to the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. The bridge will create opportunities for investment and stimulate local and regional growth.
This bridge will revolutionise the lives of millions of people in Bangladesh by improving their access to resources, services and opportunities. It will provide local people with improved travel to education, healthcare and employment. It will also improve the connectivity of the region and its ability to take advantage of increased foreign and domestic investments.
The Padma Bridge is an outstanding achievement of engineering, symbolising the bright future of Bangladesh. It will both dramatically transform people’s quality of life and secure the nation’s connection to her neighbours and the outside world.