Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday said the construction of the 6.15-kilometre Padma Bridge is progressing fast as 84 percent work of the project has been completed.

“The real progress of Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project has reached 84 percent while the financial progress reached 75.84 percent,” he told journalists while visiting the service area of the project in Munshiganj.

Among others, Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj District Md Moniruzzaman Talukder and Superintendent of Police Md Zayedul Alam were present.

He said the overall construction progress of the Padma Bridge reached 74 percent targeting to be completed by June 2021, adding, “But the Padma is an unpredictable river as it maintains heavy current along with huge silt.”

In the situation, it is tough to install spans and the construction work does not complete as per the schedule, said the minister who also the general secretary of Awami League.

He said all pile diving works have been successfully done, while 32 piers out of 42 were completed.

Meanwhile, out of the total 41 spans, some 31 spans reached the Mawa site from China and 14 spans were set up, Quader said.

He said 63 percent of river training has been done so far, while 50.40 percent financial progress of the river training was completed.