Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to move forward with plans for a Y-shaped second Padma Bridge, a second Jamuna Bridge prioritising connectivity in Rangpur and other northern regions, and the proposed Padma Barrage.

He issued the instructions during a meeting with officials from relevant ministries and divisions at the Prime Minister’s Office in Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon.

Officials informed the meeting that feasibility studies for the second Padma Bridge and second Jamuna Bridge are underway. Once the studies are completed in September next year, final decisions will be made on the locations, designs and estimated costs of the two projects.

The meeting held detailed discussions on a proposed Y-shaped connection for the second Padma Bridge. Regarding the second Jamuna Bridge, participants emphasised improving transport links to Rangpur and other parts of northern Bangladesh.

The proposed second Padma Bridge is expected to make travel between the capital and the country’s southwestern region easier. It would also establish an alternative transport connection to Mongla Seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.

The Padma Barrage project was also discussed at the meeting. Discussions covered ways to address water shortages during the dry season, increase agricultural production, maintain river flows and environmental balance, and explore the possibility of establishing road connectivity through the barrage.

Officials also discussed project financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies.

Among those attending the meeting were Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam; State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Habib Rashed; State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad; and State Minister for Shipping and the Bridges Division Md. Rajib Ahsan.

Senior officials present included Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Majumder; Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf; Water Resources Ministry Secretary Dr. A.K.M. Shahabuddin; Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque; Additional Secretary of the Water Resources Ministry Md. Enamul Haque; Bangladesh Bridge Authority Director Mohammad Bhikharuddaula Chowdhury; Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman; Bangladesh Bridge Authority Chief Engineer Md. Abul Hossain; and Padma Barrage Project Director Mahmud Hasan, among others.