Finance
Padma Bridge | World Bank Reasons for not getting World Bank on Padma Bridge project is misunderstanding: Obaidul Quader
Dhaka, June 14: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has commented that not getting the World Bank on the Padma Bridge is the biggest misunderstanding with the organization in Bangladesh. He said this at the inaugural function of Bangladesh Road Safety Project (BRSP) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Wednesday.
Obaidul Quader said, "The World Bank could have been involved in the Padma Bridge if it wanted. There has been a misunderstanding. But the World Bank alone cannot be blamed for this. Some big people of our country were also involved. It is a big misunderstanding."
He said, "We have to accept the fact that there are some problems in the implementation of the project in this country. We have to face many problems one after another. It increases the difficulty and the time also increases." He thanked the World Bank for being a partner in this project.
The bridge minister said, "The World Bank could have done the Padma bridge alone if it wanted. There is a misunderstanding here. I don't blame the World Bank only for that." He thanked the World Bank for the respect shown to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the cooperation in the budget.
Obaidul Quader said, "Road accidents cause an annual loss of Tk 35,000 crore in the country. Our ideas are far-reaching. But the implementation is very slow." He said, "Today a very important project is starting. In the history of Bangladesh, the unprecedented development of the communication system, especially the road communication system, during the reign of Sheikh Hasina is a great achievement."
Bridges Minister said, "No matter how much we inaugurate Padma Bridge, Metrorail, Elevated Express, a hundred bridges in a day, when we see the news of accidents, the mind becomes depressed. It is very painful for us. Even though we are ministers, we are human beings. Even after doing so many mega projects, so much development, I was not getting relief because of the accident. Why? Can't we avoid it? We can do so much, we can build Padma Bridge with our own funding, why can't we stop the accident? This is the question today. The World Bank is funding most of the Tk 5,000 crore here."
