Bangladesh
Daulatdia-Paturia Tunnel No second bridge over Padma, government to construct tunnel at Daulatdia-Paturia
Dhaka, October 2: Despite announcing to build a second Padma bridge at Daulatdia-Paturia, the government is moving away from this position. Plans have been made to build the Daulatdia-Paturia tunnel, not a bridge over the Padma, to keep the river navigable. It will be the second tunnel in the country after Kornfuli. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader made the remarks at a seminar at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital on Friday.
The Awami League's sub-committee on science and technology organized the seminar titled 'Struggle, Uninterrupted Dream Highway from Khulna to Chittagong'.
At the seminar, the Minister for Road Transport and Bridges said the government is planning to build a tunnel without a bridge at Daulatdia-Paturia to keep the Padma navigable. At the same time, the minister said in the context of roads, not only the road must be built, it must be strengthened. Besides, proper maintenance is also important.
Later, criticizing the BNP, the general secretary of the Awami League said, "The political stand that the BNP used to make in the name of Vision-2030 before the last election is now in the deep freeze. The BNP's counter vision will never see the light of day. That is why the BNP has become isolated from the people due to its negative politics."
He said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vision is 2021, 2041 and 2100, she will do what needs to be done. The Prime Minister is considering all the plans."
In his welcome address, Engineer Md. Abdus Sabur, Secretary, Science and Technology of Awami League and Member Secretary of the sub-committee, said, "As a result, the pressure on the capital Dhaka has increased in our communication system. If any vehicle from Khulna or Barisal wants to go to Chittagong port, there is no direct arrangement for them to go except Dhaka. If East-West direct communication can be established, the pressure on Dhaka-Chittagong 4-lane road will be greatly reduced."
He said, “Our neighboring country India have built their road network across their entire coast. As a result, they have an integrated network for transporting goods from port to port. If we can establish direct communication with the coast, it will have a huge impact on the country's blue-economy. Internationally, Bangladesh will become a hub of communication. Like Singapore, Bangladesh will also become a role model of integrated communication system.
