The 29th span of 6.15km Padma Bridge has been installed making 4.35 km of the under-construction bridge visible

According to concerned engineers of the Padma Bridge, the remaining 12 spans are expected to be installed by August this year

The 29th span of the 6.15-kilometre long Padma Bridge has been installed on the 19th and 20th pillars at Mawa point in Munshiganj amid the nationwide shutdown to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The installation took place around 10:45am on Monday morning, confirmed Humanyun Kabir, assistant engineer of the mega project.

With the installation of the span, 4,350 metres of the main structure of the bridge has become visible and the 29th span has been installed 13 days after the installation of 28th span.

Some adjustments are still going on and the ‘4-A’ span was transferred from the Mawa Kumarbhog Construction Yard on Sunday, said Humayun.

Dewan Md Abdul Kader, executive engineer of the main project, said: “Considering the weather fluctuations in Mawa, we planned a schedule of two days to install the span.”

With this, twenty-nine spans out of 41 have already been installed and the last two spans are soon to be sent to Bangladesh by China, added the official.

Earlier, the 28th span of the Padma Bridge was installed on April 11, making 4.20 km out of the total 6.15 km visible.

According to concerned engineers of the Padma Bridge, the remaining 12 spans are expected to be installed by August this year though the stipulated time is till November.

As per the project details, the construction of the 6.15-kilometre long Padma Bridge is going on in full swing amid the nationwide shutdown with the target of completing it within the stipulated time.

On October 14, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the name plaque of Padma Bridge Toll Plaza at the Mawa end.

According to experts, the national economy is expected to witness 1.2 per cent GDP growth rate, while 0.84 per cent poverty will be reduced every year after completion of the bridge to be built with an estimated cost of Taka 30,193.39 crore.

The first span of the Padma Bridge was installed on September 30, 2017.

dhakatribune