Shawdesh Desk:

Engineers and workers from home and abroad are putting final touches to the long-cherished Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the largest structure of the country which will open to traffic on June 25.

As the inauguration day is getting closer, they are working round the clock to complete the remaining work, including joining connecting roads with the bridge on both sides, cleaning the bridge and nearby areas, testing streetlights and fine-tuning the lampposts, making road markings and renovating footbridges.

The construction of the dream bridge with own resources is a befitting riposte to the World Bank, which withdrew a loan for the bridge bringing allegations of corruption conspiracy.

The bridge will also herald a groundbreaking change the country’s road communication system increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) once the vehicular movement starts through it from the morning of June 26, a day after its inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Prime Minister took the initiative to build the Padma Bridge with own resources after the WB withdrew its $1.2 billion loan for the bridge in 2012 bringing allegations of corruption conspiracy, which was later dismissed by a Canadian court.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said preparations for the inauguration ceremony are in the last stage. “The Padma Bridge is a reflection of our capacity and ability. The construction of the bridge is a befitting reply to the insult the World Bank imposed on us by cancelling the fund bringing allegations of corruption conspiracy.”

“It’s the outcome of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s courage. There’s no contribution of anyone else,” he added.

During a visit to the Padma Bridge area, it was seen that work is going on to fix some minor issues, including testing 415 streetlights. Work is underway to install 207 more streetlamps and provide electricity to the connecting roads on both ends of the bridge.

The authorities concerned are working to beautify the 55-kilometre Mawa Expressway along with the 12-km connecting roads and carpeting the damaged roads at several spots.

According to road transport and bridges ministry, the inauguration ceremony will be held at the Mawa end where Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will be invited among 5,000 guests.

To make the inauguration a success, the ministry has formed some 18 committees.

As the inauguration day is drawing nearer, the crowd of visitors is increasing on both Mawa and Jajira ends of the bridge.

Thousands of people from all walks of life gather at the two ends of the river every morning and evening to catch a glimpse of the bridge.

As the founding anniversary of Awami League is on June 23, the ruling party is taking preparations to make the day of the opening of the Padma Bridge memorable.

Along with the government, the party is taking preparations to gather some 1.5 million people for a public rally to be held at Jajira after the inauguration of the bridge.

The construction of two 40-foot murals at Mawa and Jajira ends is nearing completion. The two murals will feature portraits of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The inaugural plaque is being constructed next to it.

The ruling party has a plan to celebrate the day with festivity all over the country through gala programmes while the opening ceremony will also be screened live in all districts.

The stage for public rally will be constructed at Kanthalbari in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur. The stage will be built in the shape of the Padma Bridge where seven pillars and strong currents of the mighty river will be portrayed.

The 6.15km mega bridge will connect 21 south and southwestern districts of the country.

Once in operation, economists predict, the bridge will help increase the country’s GDP by 1.23 percent while that of south and southwestern districts by over 2 percent through creating employment opportunities for some 10 million people.

The total cost Tk 30,193.38 crore was fully funded by the government and the construction work started on November 26, 2014.