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All preparations have been completed as the much-anticipated 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge will be opened for vehicular movement today.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally open the Padma Bridge by<\/p>\n
unveiling the inaugural plaque at the Mawa point in the morning.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Awami League will arrange a public rally marking the opening of the bridge at<\/p>\n
Kathalbari under Shibchar upazila in Madaripur at 12 noon. The Premier will<\/p>\n
join and address the rally.<\/p>\n
Madaripur deputy commissioner said they have taken all-out preparations as<\/p>\n
around 10 lakh people will join the mammoth rally.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The venue located on the bank of river Padma has been decorated gorgeously by<\/p>\n
making a symbolic makeshift Padma Bridge having 10 spans on 11 pillars.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Before the symbolic bridge, opening stage has been set up. The makeshift<\/p>\n
bridge is 200 feet long and 8 feet wide. The stage is 15 feet long and 40<\/p>\n
feet wide.<\/p>\n
A 60-feet long gigantic boat floats on water in front of the stage. Several<\/p>\n
small boats are also there. The venue has been prepared on around 15 acres of<\/p>\n
land.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Stringent security measures have also been taken to avert any untoward<\/p>\n
incident. Six watch towers have been set up on the premises of the stage.<\/p>\n
More than 150 CCTV cameras have been set up there. Members of Army, several units of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police,<\/p>\n
and SSF members are working at the venue.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud<\/p>\n
Chowdhury, Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem,<\/p>\n
former Awami League Presidium Members – Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak<\/p>\n
and Abdur Rahman and Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam and Inspector General of<\/p>\n
Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed today visited the venue at Kathalbari.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Talking to journalists, the home minister said stringent security measures<\/p>\n
have been taken to avert any untoward situation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Mirza Azam will be the coordinate of the rally. He expressed hope that this<\/p>\n
rally would be the 2nd largest rally in the country’s history following<\/p>\n
historic March 7, 1971 rally.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Full-proof security measures have been taken as check-posts have been set up<\/p>\n
at all points and intersections on the way to the venue, Dr Benazir Ahmed<\/p>\n
said, adding modern watch towers have been set up to keep surveillance.<\/p>\n
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As preparations have been taken to host a mammoth public gathering, 500<\/p>\n
temporary toilets, 22 toilets for VIP, pure drinking water, a 20-bed and two<\/p>\n
10-bed mobile hospitals and medical centers have been ensured. There will be<\/p>\n
ambulance facilities too.<\/p>\n
The entire Madaipur district wore a festive look as colorful banners have<\/p>\n
been hanged on the streets and roads.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The programme will include colorful cultural function, fireworks and laser<\/p>\n
show. Sweets will also be distributed among people.<\/p>\n
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Awami League Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak said the event will be a<\/p>\n
historic one as around one million people will attend it.<\/p>\n
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He hoped Bangladesh will march further ahead with the inauguration of the<\/p>\n
country’s biggest self-financed project Padma Bridge.<\/p>\n
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The much-awaited Padma Bridge will be inaugurated today but vehicles will<\/p>\n
be allowed to ply on the bridge from 6am on the next day (Sunday).<\/p>\n
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The bridge will bring a massive progress in road connectivity of 21 south and<\/p>\n
southwestern districts with capital Dhaka and other major cities.<\/p>\n
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Marking the grand opening of the bridge, a festive mood is prevailing in the<\/p>\n
country, particularly in the southern and southwestern region which will be<\/p>\n
directly facilitated through the major road connectivity.<\/p>\n
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As per the Premier’s programme schedule, the Prime Minister will unveil<\/p>\n
commemorative postage stamps, souvenir sheets, opening day cover and seals at<\/p>\n
11am at Mawa point to mark the grand opening of the country’s biggest self-<\/p>\n
financed mega project which is likely to boost GDP by 1.2 to 2 percent.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Prior to that, she will leave Tejgaon Airport, Dhaka at 9:30am by a<\/p>\n
helicopter to join the programme at Mawa point.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister will formally open the Padma Bridge by unveiling the<\/p>\n
inaugural plaque and mural-1 after paying toll at the Mawa point at 11:12am.<\/p>\n
She will also join a munajat to be offered there.<\/p>\n
She will begin her journey for Jajira point in Shariatpur from Mawa point by<\/p>\n
road crossing the bridge at 11.23am.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The premier will reach Jajira point at 11:45am and unveil the inaugural<\/p>\n
plaque of the bridge and mural-2. She will also join a munajat there.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, will join a public rally of the<\/p>\n
party marking the opening of the bridge at Kathalbari under Shibchar upazila<\/p>\n
in Madaripur district at 12 noon.<\/p>\n
Padma Bridge became visible with the installation of the first span on 37th<\/p>\n
and 38th number pillars on September 30, 2017.<\/p>\n
Later, all 41 spans were installed on 42 pillars one after another. The<\/p>\n
entire structure of the multi-purpose 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge became<\/p>\n
visible with installation of its last 41st span on December 10, 2020.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The self-financed bridge project was implemented at the total cost of Taka<\/p>\n
30,1933.7 crore.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The cost of main bridge construction is Taka 12,133.39 crore (including Taka<\/p>\n
1000 crore for 400 KV transmission line tower and gas line) and the cost of<\/p>\n
river training works (RTW) of 13.8km is Taka 9,4000.0 crore.<\/p>\n
Dainik Biswa<\/a><\/p>\n President, PM greet all involved with Padma Bridge project<\/a><\/p>\n