Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said the dream project Padma Bridge will lead to an unprecedented improvement in the communication system connecting the capital with the southern part of the country.

“As a result of the bold steps taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, it has been possible to complete the construction work of the 6.15 km long Padma Bridge with the own funds of the government of Bangladesh,” he told Parliament while placing the national budget for the fiscal year – 2022-2023.

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The bridge is expected to be opened to traffic on June 25.

With a view to building transport and communication systems that support industry and trade in the country, the government is implementing a number of mega projects, one of which is the Padma Bridge, said the finance minister.

Another project, construction of 3.32 km Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman tunnel under the Karnaphuli River, is about to be completed and the tunnel is expected to be opened to traffic by December 2022, he said.

In addition, the construction of 46.73 km Elevated Expressway from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway is in progress, Kamal said.

About 78.94 percent construction work of the first part (Airport-Banani) has already been completed.

The physical progress of the entire project is 43.60 percent. On the other hand, 69 percent of construction of 20 km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been completed, said the finance minister.

In addition, construction of Bus Rapid Transit from the Airport to Mohakhali is under consideration, he said.

Land acquisition for 24 km Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Savar EPZ via Ashulia is underway, Kamal said.

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Besides, he said, feasibility study for construction of a bridge over Meghna river on Bhulta-Araihazar-Bancharampur road, construction of Kalabadar and Tetulia bridges on Barisal-Bhola road, a two-story road from Mithamoin Cantonment to Marichkhali in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj district are underway.

He said feasibility study for construction of a tunnel under the Jamuna river is going on and steps are being taken to build more Elevated Expressways and large bridges integrating the ongoing bridges, flyovers and tunnels.