Report on 3-way BRIDGE

over Jamuna & Padma

Introductory                                                

Analyzing the geographical of Bangladesh, it seems that the communication between the north Bengal and the capital of Dhaka, a path has been encouraged straight west-wardly though Aricha, crossing the river Jamuna and to different destinations of the extreme northern and western region of the country. Accordingly, Dhaka- aricha Highway was planned and developed during a long span of time. During post liberation period, in 1974, Mirpur Bridge over river Turag was innugurated by the then Communication Minister Late Capt. Mansur Ali, replacing previous one-way steel-RC fusion bridge. Later, opened the bridges over river Bangshi at Noyarhat and over river Kaliganga at Tora, thus commenced a new era in the communication with the northern region. Only one bridge was required to cross the river Jamuna, logically at a place near Aricha. A high voltage overhead electric line crossed that river through nearby location after substantial survey works. Which also proves that the surrounding area is geologically and commercially suitable place for erecting a structure over the river in the nearby place.

Looking at the communication urgency of the capital city with the northern region of the country, eventually the site was selected for Bangabandhu Bridge to cross the river Jamuna. Obviously, the bridge has opened a new door of hope for the people of the northern zones of the country. The people’s government and the peoples of the zone have started enjoying the outcome and benefits till then.

But, as scenario has been changed, population increased, communication sector demands more facilities. Bangladesh has become exquisite manufacturer and exporter of readymade garments, expatriate workforce is remitting handsome foreign currencies. Recent statement by the Governor of the Bangladesh Bank reveals that the foreign currency reserves have exceeded US$ 10b. Present democratic government has taken many progressive steps to remove poverty from the country and has taken a number of sustainable development projects to reform the country as of middle income by 2021 AD, which is on its way in the name of Digital Bangladesh.

Very recently, the Prime- Minister Shaikh Hasina has been awarded with prestigious Indira Gandhi Award for her contribution of reforming the country. The people, at the moment shouldn’t loose the tempo on the way to develop our country. People has also got sagacious responsibility toward the nation, derived from patriotism.

A wide zone located on the north and the south sides of the river Padma include, Chapai Nawabganj, Natore, Pabna, Faridpur, Kushtia, Meherpur alongwith surrounding area are

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also suffering due to not having the straight communication access with the capital city of Dhaka. While peoples from the above mentioned zone travels to the capital, waste a considerably wide span of time as they need to move north-east direction to the Bangabandhu Bridge first, cross it and then drive back to south-east to reach the capital city. Wasting a lot of valuable time and expensive fuel for the vehicles, is going on by a big number of people everyday. The number of  the people have been estimated as high as over 2 crores. If a 3-way bridge could be erected over the rivers, joining Aricha, Nagarbari and Goalanda, a lot of people is going to be benefited. The government would be gaining revenues as well as, the people would breadth a sigh of relief. Over all the national economy is going to be accelerated by simultaneously saving the time and fuel.

Economic

According to the economic analysis, a bulk volume of perishable commodities, food-grains and agro- items, milk, fresh flowers, fruits and vegetable are being hauled to the capital city of Dhaka specially for daily local consumption. Because of the longer distance, prices of the commodities are going high and being supplied at higher price. If the transport cost can be lessened, by using the straight route over the dreamed bridge over the rivers Padma- Jamuna,  the peoples living in the capital city of Dhaka, would be able to avail the above-mentioned commodities at reasonably competitive thus eventually lower price.

Speaking elaborately, the Fajli and other Mangoes from Chapai Nawabganj and adjacent areas, Litchi and Jack-fruits from Pabna- Ishurdi area, Green Chilies and Runner from Natore area, fresh Milk from Pabna’s Chalan Bil area, Fishes and Molasses from Faridpur area are dear to the consumers in the capital, because of the much longer route, they have to travel to cross the river Jamuna.

If the projected 3-way bridge is erected over the rivers Jamuna- Padma, it is going to be a blessing not only for people living there, but also would be beneficial for the consumers living in the capital city of Dhaka, as they would be able to purchase agro products everyday at lower price and more fresh. Especially the fresh milk, fresh flowers and mango from this zone would be available at the consumer’s door more quickly.

The economic aspect of the projected bridge is so clear that even the government may give a thought to accumulate a portion of the fund towards construction from people’s investment by issuing share, which may be adjusted from the toll tax likely to be collected from the 3-way bridge from the people crossing over, when it will be opened for traffic.

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Technical

According to the geological studies and technical analisis, a 3-way bridge can be erected crossing the two rivers Jamuna and Padma. Which may be projected to joint Aricha with two major gateways to the north: Nagarbari and Goalanda. According to the studies, so far carried out, river bank protection and soil protection would be comparatively easier in this area. The 3-way bridge of about 50 feet width, may be constructed with pre-stressed RC structure, keeping navigational headroom underneath, rested on RC piers sounds very much feasible to stand. Naturally it’s going to accommodate four lanes for road transports, along with wide footpath for passer-byes. The cumulative spans from abutment to abutment across the river Jamuna is expected to be approximately 6.5 kilometers, while the same over the river Padma is expected to be more or less 4.0 kilometers. Inclusive of the approach roads and a highway Y-junction roundabout, project cost may come about Taka twenty-four thousand crore or a little more, as per present international cost analysis. The cost of approach road on all the three sides of the bridge is included. Its fortunate, as we see that the communicating highways from the projected bridge to three sides are ready as per internationally acceptable specification for instant hauling of transport and traffic.

A question may always rise about the river control, making of spur dikes and river- dredging are the proper answers to this. Inundation during heavy monsoon is not a new problem in this region, so can be managed suitably.

It is wonderful that the bridge over the river Padma at Maowa, has been approved for construction immediately the design assignment is completed. The 6.15 kilometer long bridge would cost about Taka Sixteen thousand crores, which may increase up to Taka Eighteen thousand crores, along with river control and allied activities. Fund already allocated for the project in the range of US $ 129 crore. From World Bank 46 crore, Jaica 40 crore, Asian Development Bank 30 crore and Islamic Development Bank 13 crore (which may increase up to 28 crore, means a total would be about US$ 144 crore. Kuwait and UAE would also participate as development partner for the construction.

Political

Over two crores of the population living in the zone used to come to the capital city of Dhaka for various purposes, viz. procurement of commodities for their shops etc in the area, for medical check- up and treatment in specialized hospitals, meeting relations and friends staying at Dhaka. Besides, a good number of students studying in different educational institutes, as well as, a large number of persons employed in different offices, used to visit their family and parent at home almost every weekend. More over, for different official purposes, people visit the capital very frequently. About the transportation of the agro products, specially perishable items, where hauling time is a big factor that affect the freshness of the items and over- all the price increases because of the longer distance, which directly goes on the shoulders of the consumers and the producers. So, for Socio- Economic condition of the people is definitely going to be improved a lot.

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The present government is a truly democratic and patriot people’s representative, always planning and taking care of the people’s welfare, especially in the arena of financial aspect. Over two crore means, about one seventh of the total population of the country are going to be benefited directly, shouldn’t this matter to be considered with utmost attention?

When proven fact is there, that the project is commercially viable, the soil condition and geological aspects are giving favourable statistics, people of the zone are going to be benefited, and over all, the country’s economical strength is going to be increased, is it not possible to arrange the fund for the construction? It has become a dream for over 2 crore people of the zone. The dream bridge—the 3-way bridge over the rivers Jamuna and Padma.

Arch.(Dr) Sharif A. Chowdhury

Mob: 01716-626872, E-mail sledbd@yahoo.com

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Left:Ho-Chi-Minh City,Vietnam.

Below:Japan