NEW DELHI, March 20– The Bangladesh government is considering with priority the Malaysian proposal to construct the much-hyped Padma Multipurpose Bridge, its Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said. However, he also said the government would consider if any other party comes up with a proposal to construct the bridge, United News of Bangladesh reported.
“Around 90 per cent of preparatory works, including land acquisition and rehabilitation of the affected people, have already been completed,” he said. Last week, Malaysia’s special envoy for infrastructure to India and South Asia, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, formally offered to invest US$2.3 billion to build the $2.9 billion Padma bridge, Bangladesh media reported.
He said that Malaysia would construct the main part of the bridge, do the river training work (RTW) and bear the entire cost. The return on investment would be derived within 26 years from toll collection of the bridge that would connect 19 south and southern districts with Dhaka and the eastern region.
BERNAMA
