Padma Bridge

The Daily Purbadesh reported in 1971 that a team of survey experts from Japan submitted a feasibility report for the construction of the Dhaka–Faridpur road to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). As part of the construction of the road, they suggested building a bridge over the Padma River.{{cite news |newspaper=Daily Purbadesh |date=19 January 1971 |script-title=bn:ঢাকা–ফরিদপুর সড়ক প্রকল্প নতুন যুগের সূচনা করতে পারে |trans-title=The Dhaka–Faridpur road project could usher in a new era |language=bn |url=https://archive.org/details/daily-purbodesh-19011971 |access-date=15 July 2022 |medium=Internet Archive}} After the independence of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh, announced the construction of a bridge over the Padma, but after 1975, the project was not implemented.{{cite news |url=https://www.jugantor.com/todays-paper/visibility/564941/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87 |script-title=bn:পদ্মা সেতু মাথা উঁচু করে দাঁড়াতে শিখিয়েছে |trans-title=The Padma Bridge has taught us to stand with our heads held high |first=Rakibuzzaman |last=Ahmed |date=22 June 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |newspaper=Jugantor |language=bn}}

On 18 September 1998, a project worth Tk. 3,843.50 crore was proposed for the construction of a bridge over the Padma River on the Dhaka–Mawa–Bhanga–Khulna Highway with the aim of establishing direct communication between the capital and the south and southwest of the country. At 5 km long and 18.10 m wide, this bridge was considered to be the longest possible bridge in the country. Construction was proposed to begin in July 1999 and be completed in June 2004. In the proposed cost, Tk. 2,893.50 crore was from foreign sources and Tk. 750 crore was from local sources.{{cite magazine |script-title=bn:পদ্মা সেতু নির্মাণের উদ্যোগ |trans-title=Initiative to build Padma bridge |magazine=The Fortnightly Ahmadi |volume=61 |issue=6 |date=30 September 1998 |page=40 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QG3LDwAAQBAJ&dq=%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE+%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81&pg=PT41 |access-date=15 June 2022 |language=bn}}

The foundation stone for the Padma Bridge was laid by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 4 July 2001.{{Cite news |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/new-era-begins-pm-hasina-opens-padma-bridge-446794 |title=New era begins as PM Hasina opens Padma Bridge |date=2022-06-25 |access-date=2022-08-07 |work=The Business Standard |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220807183043/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/new-era-begins-pm-hasina-opens-padma-bridge-446794 |archive-date=2022-08-07 |url-status=live}} However, the BNP, under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, returned to power following the 2001 general election and decided to discontinue the project.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} In the 2006–2007 Annual Development Program, the Bangladesh government readopted a plan to build the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.{{cite book |title=Bārshika unnaẏana karmasūcī |date=2006 |publisher=Parikalpanā Kamiśana, Gaṇaprajātantrī Bāṃlādeśa Sarakāra. |page=623 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LSNGVnI2c0IC&q=%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE+%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81 |access-date=15 June 2022 |language=bn}} The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) invited the pre-qualification tender for the project in April 2010. Construction of the bridge was expected to commence by early 2011{{cite news |title=Funds for Pawdda Bridge Arranged |url=http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/2010120312125/country/funds-for-pawdda-bridge-arranged.html |newspaper=Bangladesh News |date=4 December 2010 |access-date=5 January 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205000834/http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/2010120312125/country/funds-for-pawdda-bridge-arranged.html |archive-date=5 February 2018}} and be ready for major completion in 2013 (and complete all sections by late 2015{{cite news |title=ADB Approves Loan for Bangladesh Bridge Project |publisher=roadtraffic-technology.com |date=30 November 2010 |url=http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/news/news103350.html |access-date=5 January 2011}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}}).

After allegations of corruption by some people associated with the project's preparation, the World Bank withdrew its commitment and other donors followed. The government of Bangladesh then decided to fund the project itself;{{cite news |title=Padma Bridge -- New Lifeline of Development |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/round-tables/padma-bridge-new-lifeline-development-203326 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=18 January 2016}} it later considered foreign options from Malaysia, India, and China. Of these, China proposed building the bridge on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis by investing $2 billion, or 70 percent of the project cost.{{Cite news |date=19 May 2014 |title=Chinese company to construct Padma bridge |url=https://bdnews24.com/economy/chinese-company-to-construct-padma-bridge |access-date=2024-05-14 |work=bdnews24.com |language=en}} In June 2016, the Bangladesh government floated an international construction tender. Three international construction companies purchased the tender papers. However, only one—China Major Bridge Engineering Company Ltd—submitted a financial proposal, on 24 April 2014; the company was then selected on 17 June 2014 to construct the bridge.{{Cite web |last=China Railway Group Limited |date=15 March 2019 |title=Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Bangladesh |url=http://www.crecg.com/english/10059090/10059186/10059566/index.html |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=China Railway Group Limited}}

Following the withdrawal of pledged funds by the World Bank, the project was ultimately funded directly by the Bangladesh government, with expenditures derived primarily from the central government budget.{{cite news |last=Bhattacherjee |first=Kallol |title='Padma Bridge project was entirely funded by Bangladesh government' |work=The Hindu |date=2022-06-18 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/padma-bridge-project-was-entirely-funded-by-bangladesh-government/article65541034.ece |access-date=2022-10-07}}

File:Querschnitt Konstruktion Padma-Brücke.svg

The detailed design of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge was delivered by a team of international and national consultants headed by AECOM.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/padma-bridge/padma-bridge4.html |title=Projects Archive - Verdict Traffic}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}} The team comprised AECOM, SMEC International, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants,{{cite web |url=http://www.nhcweb.com/projects/bridge-hydraulics/detailed-design-of-padma-multipurpose-bridge.asp |title=NHC Project: Multipurpose Bridge - Padma |website=www.nhcweb.com |access-date=15 February 2016 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125205709/http://www.nhcweb.com/projects/bridge-hydraulics/detailed-design-of-padma-multipurpose-bridge.asp |url-status=dead}} and ACE Consultants, with additional assistance from Aas-Jakobsen and HR Wallingford.

The project comprised two phases: phase 1 included the design phase, procurement action, and award of construction contracts; phase 2 was the construction phase.

Phase 1 commenced on 29 January 2009. A dedicated project office was set up in Dhaka in March 2009. The detailed design of the main bridge was carried out in AECOM's Hong Kong office. All work by the design team was carried out within the framework of AECOM's Quality Management System (QMS), which is independently accredited to AS/NZS ISO 9001. The QMS is designed to control all project work undertaken by the team. A project-specific design management plan was established at the outset of the project. In March 2009, the government of Bangladesh requested AECOM to accelerate the design to complete construction by the end of 2013. This necessitated the mobilization of additional personnel within the design team. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) established an internationally recognized panel of experts comprising five national and five international experts to review the design at regular intervals. In addition, an independent checking engineer, Flint & Neill, was engaged to review the design criteria, specifications, and drawings produced by the design team to ensure the design meets the project requirements and to undertake an independent check of the detailed design of the main bridge and river training works.

A key feature of the detailed design was the integration of Bangladesh counterparts into the design team, which allowed the successful training of a significant number of Bangladesh personnel in all aspects of the project and the subsequent transfer of the high level of technology involved in this large, complex project.{{cite conference |url=http://www.iabse-bd.org/old/90.pdf |title=Detailed design of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Bangladesh – An overview |last1=Wheeler |first1=W. K. |last2=Aves |first2=R. J. |last3=Tolley |first3=C. J. |last4=Zaman |first4=Mohammad |last5=Islam |first5=M. R |year=2010 |conference= |editor1-last=Amin |editor1-first=A. F. M. |book-title=Proceedings of the IABSE-JSCE Joint Conference on Advances in Bridge Engineering-II, 8–10 August 2010, Dhaka, Bangladesh |publisher=Bangladesh Group of IABSE |location=Dhaka |pages=120–133 |isbn=978-984-33-1893-0 |doi=}}

File:Padma Bridge 01.jpg

Work on the Padma Multipurpose Bridge was broadly divided into five parts: the main bridge, the river training, two link roads, and infrastructure (service area) construction. Construction of the main bridge was carried out by China Major Bridge Engineering Corporation. China's Sinohydro Corporation was appointed for the river training works while Bangladesh's Abdul Monem Limited was given the contract for the two link roads and infrastructure construction. The bridge is 6.15 kilometres long, with two tiers. It has a total of 42 pillars, each with six piles beneath. Steel spans were placed atop the pillars.

In October 2017, more than one and a half years after the main construction work began, the first span was installed between pillars 37 and 38, indicating timely progress on the project.{{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/padma-bridge-becomes-visible-as-first-span-installed |title=Padma Multipurpose Bridge becomes visible as first span installed |work=bdnews24.com |date=30 September 2017}} As of May 2021, more than 95% of the construction (all the main steel frame spans were set on the piers) of the bridge had been completed.{{cite web |title=Present Status of the project |url=http://www.padmabridge.gov.bd/cstatus.php |website=Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project}} Construction of all 42 pillars was completed on 27 November 2020.{{cite news |date=27 November 2020 |title=Padma Multipurpose Bridge: 39th span installed, only 2 more to go |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/11/27/padma-bridge-39th-span-installed-only-2-more-to-go |access-date=27 November 2020}} The final (41st) span of the bridge was installed on 10 December 2020.{{Cite news |date=2020-12-10 |title=Last span of Padma Multipurpose Bridge installed |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/last-span-padma-bridge-being-installed-2009001 |access-date=2020-12-10 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Last span of Padma Multipurpose Bridge installed |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/522887/Last-span-of-Padma-Bridge-installed |access-date=2020-12-10 |work=Daily Sun |language=en}} The last road slab was installed on the span that linked pillars 12 and 13 on 24 August 2021.{{cite news |title=It's possible to walk across the Padma now |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/transport/news/its-possible-walk-across-the-padma-now-2159256 |work=The Daily Star |date=24 August 2021 |language=en}}

File:Fascinating flypast of Bangladesh Air Force to make the opening ceremony of Padma Bridge more colorful.jpg flypast during the opening ceremony of Padma Bridge]]

The Padma Bridge was officially inaugurated by the prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, on 25 June 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.jugantor.com/padma-bridge/566277 |script-title=bn:আবেগাপ্লুত হয়ে পড়লেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী |date=25 June 2022 |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=Jugantor |language=bn}} An elaborate ceremony was conducted for the opening of bridge, signifying its national significance. Prime Minister Hasina unveiled a plaque at the Mawa point commemorating the construction of the bridge, followed by special prayers. After the inauguration, Hasina paid the first toll of the bridge, ৳750, and ৳16,400 for the rest of her fleet.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/06/25/pm-hasina-pays-first-toll-on-padma-bridge |title=PM Hasina pays first toll on Padma Bridge |date=2022-06-25 |access-date=2022-08-07 |work=Dhaka Tribune}} The motorcade stopped while on the bridge and watched an aerobatics display conducted by the Bangladesh Air Force. Upon concluding the journey across the bridge, a programme that included a keynote speech from the Prime Minister was overseen. A commemorative ৳100 note was released featuring an image of the bridge. Celebrations were held concurrently in the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh located around the world.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/foreign-affairs/2022/06/26/inauguration-of-padma-bridge-celebrated-at-bangladesh-hc-in-new-delhi |title=Inauguration of Padma Bridge celebrated at Bangladesh HC in New Delhi |date=2022-06-25 |access-date=2022-08-07 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

On 28 April 2022, the Bridges Division proposed a toll rate for the Padma Bridge and sent it to Prime Minister Hasina for approval. On 17 May, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued a notification fixing different toll rates for different transports.{{Cite news |script-title=bn:পদ্মা পাড়ি দিতে কত খরচ হবে, জানাল সরকার |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/পদ্মা-সেতুতে-বাসের-টোল-২৪০০-টাকা-ট্রাকে-২৮০০-2 |access-date=2022-06-26 |work=Prothom Alo |date=17 May 2022 |language=bn}}

The construction cost of the Padma Bridge was Tk. 30,193.39 crore. It was estimated that by 2022, the bridge would carry 21,300 vehicles per day in 23 districts of Bangladesh, which would increase to 41,600 by 2025. It will take {{frac|9|1|2}} years to recover the toll from all of them. According to Jugantar, citing the World Bank, the revenue from the Padma Bridge in the next 31 years will be 18.5 billion dollars, which is 5.5 times the construction cost. In addition, social progress will add 25 billion dollars to the economy. The land that has been protected through river governance on both sides is worth about Tk. 1,400 crore. The bridge will save Tk. 2,400 crore on electricity, gas, and Internet lines. The non-operation of the ferry will save Tk. 3,600 crore. According to the agreement, the bridge authority will have to pay Tk. 36,000 crore in the next 35 years. According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, most of the money collected from the toll will be used to repay the loan, and the rest will be used to maintain the bridge.{{Cite news |script-title=bn:পদ্মা সেতুর খরচ উঠতে কতদিন লাগবে? |url=https://www.jugantor.com/padma-bridge/566307/পদ্মা-সেতুর-খরচ-উঠতে-কতদিন-লাগবে |access-date=2022-06-26 |work=Jugantor |language=bn}}

On 26 June 2022, the first day the bridge was open to the public, a total of about 15,200 vehicles crossed the bridge in the first eight hours. According to an official from the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, a total toll of Tk. 82,19,000 was collected between 6 am to 2 pm.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-26 |title=Tk 82 lakh toll collected from 15,200 vehicles on Padma Bridge in first 8 hours |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/padma-bridge/news/tk-82-lakh-toll-collected-15200-vehicles-padma-bridge-first-8-hours-3056871 |access-date=2022-06-26 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}} On 1 July 2022, the sixth day after the opening, the government earned a record Tk 3,16,00,000 in revenue through tolls from 26,394 vehicles that crossed the bridge.{{cite news |title=Tk 3.16cr record toll collected from 26,394 vehicles on Padma Bridge yesterday |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/padma-bridge/news/tk-316cr-record-toll-collected-26394-vehicles-padma-bridge-yesterday-3061976 |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=The Daily Star |agency=UNB |date=2 July 2022}}

{{Further|Padma Bridge graft scandal}}

From the beginning, the Padma Multipurpose Bridge negotiation was involved in controversy and conspiracy. The World Bank stated that they found "credible evidence corroborated by a variety of sources which points to a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladeshi government officials, SNC-Lavalin executives, and private individuals in connection with the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project".{{cite web |url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2012/06/29/world-bank-statement-padma-bridge |title=World Bank Statement on Padma Multipurpose Bridge |work=World Bank |access-date=8 December 2015}} As a result of the alleged corruption, the World Bank initially refused to sanction the proposed loan for constructing the bridge and imposed conditions for the continuation of loan talks with the government. In accordance with one of these conditions, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain had to resign, as he was alleged to have been involved in the corruption.{{cite news |title=Abul Hossain resigns |url=http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=0714a81e02d3a314211b75189131a72a&nttl=2013010648210 |newspaper=Banglanews24.com |date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410131531/http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=0714a81e02d3a314211b75189131a72a&nttl=2013010648210 |archive-date=10 April 2013}} [http://news.priyo.com/national/2012/07/24/abul-resigns-wb-cond-56468.html Alt URL] SNC-Lavalin accepted a negotiated resolution agreement where the company and its affiliates were barred from taking part in bidding for World Bank contracts for 10 years. This is particularly significant, as one of the four criteria required before the international donor agrees to a negotiated settlement is "Whether an accused party has admitted culpability". Some assumed that SNC-Lavalin had done so.{{cite news |last=Bergman |first=David |date=26 February 2017 |title=Alt-facts in Bangladesh: Politicians spin Canada corruption ruling to make government look good |url=https://scroll.in/article/830072/alt-facts-in-bangladesh-politicians-spin-canada-corruption-ruling-to-make-government-look-good |work=Scroll.in}}

However, the corruption allegations were thrown out in a Canadian court on a technicality as initial cause shown before wiretapping suspects was not deemed good enough.{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/world/north-america/canada-court-finds-no-proof-pawdda-bridge-graft-conspiracy-1359397 |title=Canada court finds no proof of Pawdda bridge bribery conspiracy |work=The Daily Star |date=11 February 2017}} Hence, all evidence gathered from the wiretap was discarded. As the case heavily relied on the wiretap evidence, the prosecution decided not to pursue the case further.{{Cite web |title=Did a Canada Court Really Clear Bangladesh Officials of Corruption? |url=https://thewire.in/south-asia/did-a-canada-court-really-clear-bangladesh-officials-of-corruption |access-date=2022-01-01 |website=thewire.in}}

In 2017, former ICC prosecutor Luis Gabriel Moreno Ocampo came to Dhaka to monitor the progress of the alleged Padma Multipurpose Bridge corruption investigation.{{cite news |title=Ex-prosecutor Ocampo 'undermines' International Criminal Court, leaked documents reveal |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/ex-prosecutor-ocampo-undermines-international-criminal-court-leaked-documents-reveal |work=bdnews24.com |date=5 October 2017}} The World Bank sent a panel of three, headed by Ocampo, to review the steps taken by the ACC in the investigation. As recommended by the panel, the ACC filed a case implicating former Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and six other high-ranking government officials. However, the same Canadian court acquitted three executives of charges that SNC-Lavalin staff had planned to bribe Bangladesh officials in the bridge project, on the same technicality mentioned earlier.

Rumours spread on social media platforms like Facebook that human heads would be required in the construction of the Padma Bridge in July 2019. Later, on 9 July 2019, the bridge construction authority sent a notification to the media stating that the incident was rumoured and baseless. Researchers advised the bridge authorities to spread all the details of the construction of the bridge among the people.{{cite news |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1603394/%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7 |script-title=bn:গুজবের জবাব দিলো পদ্মাসেতু |date=10 July 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |work=Daily Prothom Alo |language=bn}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-48932695 |script-title=bn:পদ্মা সেতু তৈরিতে মানুষের মাথা লাগার গুজব কেন ছড়ালো? |date=10 July 2019 |access-date=1 January 2021 |work=BBC Bangla |language=bn}}

Population density and wages in the southern districts (zilas) connected by the Padma Bridge to Dhaka city will increase significantly, and the bridge will help lessen the impact of sea level rise in the region, a World Bank report says.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-25 |title=Padma Bridge to boost wage by 2-4% in south, lessen climate impacts: World Bank |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/padma-bridge-boost-wage-2-4-south-lessen-climate-impacts-world-bank-502646 |access-date=2023-05-13 |work=The Business Standard |language=en}} According to the CPD distinguished fellow, the size of GDP would increase by 1.23% with the opening of the Padma Bridge. The south-western districts will add another 2% to the GDP through the inauguration of factories and increased tourism, alongside an estimated 2–4% increase in wage and a 6–12% increase in population. It is estimated to give a US$500M boost to the commercial vehicle market of Bangladesh within five years of the bridge opening.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-08 |title=Padma Bridge: A $500m boost to commercial vehicle market |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/padma-bridge-500m-boost-commercial-vehicle-market-435418 |access-date=2023-05-13 |work=The Business Standard |language=en}} Lives are also expected to be saved as critical patients of southwestern regions will be able to travel to Dhaka faster, avoiding hassles associated with travel by ferries, for better treatment facilities.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-17 |title=More than economy, Padma Bridge can save lives |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/infrastructure/more-economy-padma-bridge-can-save-lives-441318 |access-date=2023-05-13 |work=The Business Standard |language=en}}

The Padma Bridge is forecast to help increase progressively the number of tourists each year in the southwestern districts, including twofold during the inaugurating year alone. Accordingly, the existing hotels in the region are forecast to earn higher profits. According to Draft PaperWork, new hotel, motel, and rest-house businesses had been also coming to them for business consultancy, licensing, and other documentation services related to opening their tourism and hospitality businesses in the region. Hence, the bridge is expected to indirectly generate additional employment and revenues.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The bridge provides a faster connection between Dhaka and Kolkata (saving at least 2 hours of journey time), as well as between Dhaka and southern Bangladesh. The bridge's single rail line is run as part of the Dhaka–Jessore line and runs at a speed of 120 km/h, like the rest of the Mawa-Bhanga section.{{Cite news |date=2023-12-26 |title=Padma Bridge rail trial run begins |url=https://en.somoynews.tv/news/2023-12-26/43rd-bcs-results-published |access-date=2023-12-27 |work=Somoy News}} In 2022, it was suggested that once the bridge was operational, another Kolkata–Dhaka international train via Mawa, Goalando, Faridpur, Kushthia, Poradaho, Darshana, and Gede may be introduced.{{Cite web |last=Rifat |date=2022-06-25 |script-title=bn:পদ্মা সেতু শত সহস্র প্রার্থনার ফল – Rifat Ahmed |url=https://rifatahmed.com/%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%81-%e0%a6%b6%e0%a6%a4-%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=rifatahmed.com |language=en-US}}{{Needs update|date=May 2025}} Tourist spots of southwestern Bangladesh like Kuakata, Sundarbans, and major destinations like Barisal, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Patuakhali, and Khulna are now easily reachable from Dhaka.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-23 |title=Dhaka {{!}} River, History, Definition, Map, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Dhaka |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}

Padma Bridge.jpg|Construction site in September 2021

Padma Bridge, November2021(2).jpg|Padma Bridge in November 2021

Padma Bridge Day Before Inauguration ceremony (cropped 2).jpg|One day prior to inauguration

• 99th Composite Brigade – a brigade of Bangladesh Army deployed to ensure security of the bridge
• Ganges Barrage Project – another proposed mega-project to combat the water deficiency caused by the Farakka Barrage
• Jamuna Bridge – a similar completed bridge across the Jamuna River
• Padma Cantonment – a cantonment built near the Padma Multipurpose Bridge
• List of megaprojects in Bangladesh
• Padma Bridge graft scandal

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160723154816/http://www.bba.gov.bd/padma-multipurpose-bridge-3/ Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Padma Multipurpose Bridge]
• [https://sameotech.com/2020/12/15/padma-bridge-will-change-the-destiny-of-bangladesh/ Padma Bridge will Change Destiny of Bangladesh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630061444/https://sameotech.com/2020/12/15/padma-bridge-will-change-the-destiny-of-bangladesh/ |date=30 June 2021 }}

{{Commons category|Padma Bridge}}

{{Incubator|syl/ꠙꠖ꠆ꠖꠣꠞ ꠙꠥꠟ}}

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