United News of Bangladesh

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday inaugurated murals titled ‘July Heroism’ and ‘July Sacrifice’ at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge, commemorating the martyrs of the July student uprising. Speaking to journalists after the event, the adviser said those who opposed the July movement and its graffiti ‘will never return’. Even under a new government, there is ‘no reason’ to remove the murals. Jahangir Alam described the July movement as more than a protest, calling it a ‘struggle for truth and justice against injustice.’ Rab now praised for role in law and order: Home adviser He said the artworks would inspire young people to remain devoted to truth, justice, freedom, and democracy, and thanked the artists for creating a ‘priceless witness to history’. Railways Secretary Fahmidul Islam, Bridges Division Secretary Momtaz Begum, DIG of Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallik, Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Fatematul Jannat, Shariatpur DC Tahsina Begum, Police Superintendent Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, Police Superintendent Md Nazrul Islam, PPM, and other officials attended the ceremony.

Vehicles will no longer need to stop to pay tolls while crossing the Padma Bridge, as the authorities are set to introduce a non-stop electronic toll collection (ETC) system. The live piloting of the ETC service is scheduled to begin at 2pm today, enabling vehicles to automatically pay tolls through designated lanes without halting. According to the Bridge Authority, the initiative is being launched under the special instruction of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan. To use the ETC facility, motorists must first register their vehicles and recharge their accounts via the ‘d-Toll’ option in Trust Bank Limited’s TAP app. Read: Padma Bridge marks 3yrs of operation, over Tk 2,500 crore toll collected Afterwards, they need to complete an RFID tag check and registration at the Padma Bridge RFID booth during their first visit. Once the process is complete, vehicles will be able to pass through ETC lanes at a minimum speed of 30 km per hour, with the toll automatically deducted from the registered account. The Bridge Authority added that other financial apps will be integrated with the system in the future. The a2i programme of the ICT Division is working to link TAP and additional apps with the service.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah on Tuesday said that despite having substantial evidence of irregularities, the much-discussed Padma Multipurpose Bridge graft case was prematurely closed, and the accused were exempted from trial. He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the ACC headquarters in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha this afternoon. “The case's initial investigation report was flawed and incomplete. We have decided to revive it with a comprehensive and evidence-based submission,” said the ACC chief. Referring to irregularities in the procurement process of consultants for the Padma Bridge project, Moinuddin Abdullah noted that although there were clear grounds for legal action, the previous commission submitted an FRT (Final Report True), effectively ending the case. “When the current commission took over in December, we reassessed the matter and felt that the case was shelved forcefully. It needs to be revived, and we've already begun a fresh investigation,” he added. ACC launches inquiry into graft allegations against 5 more NBR officials Citing specific violations of public procurement rules, he said the evaluation committee for the project was changed several times with ill intent. “Such changes indicate malafide intentions. Items that were supposed to be reusable were shown to be procured multiple times, which is financially unjustifiable,” he noted. The ACC chief pointed out several breaches of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and Public Procurement Rules (PPR), saying CVs of consultants were not properly evaluated and committee meetings required by law were either skipped or inadequately conducted. “Based on these factors, we believe the earlier report was fundamentally defective, whether due to pressure or negligence. This time, our investigating officer will submit a complete and independent report, and the case will be reopened,” he affirmed. In 2012, the World Bank suspended its USD 1.2 billion loan commitment for the Padma Bridge project, citing concerns over corruption. On December 17 of that year, the ACC filed a case with Banani Police Station against seven individuals. The prime accused was then Bridges Division Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, who was arrested and suspended from his position. He was later released on bail and reinstated.  

A record toll collection of Tk 5.43 crore was made on Padma Bridge in a single day on Thursday, with a total of 52,487 vehicles crossing the bridge in 24 hours—marking the highest number of vehicles in a day since the bridge opened. Earlier, the highest daily traffic on the bridge was recorded on its inauguration day, June 26, 2022, when 51,316 vehicles crossed, officials said. The previous highest toll collection was Tk 4.89 crore on April 9, 2024. This new record was set on the first day of the 10-day long Eid-ul-Azha holiday. Monsoon Nightmare: Erosion threatens Padma Bridge Project site Besides, the authorities concerned collected tolls amounting to over Tk 4.09 crore from 37,465 vehicles. The Padma Bridge will mark its third anniversary on June 25. So far, a total of over Tk 2,452.82 crore in tolls has been collected, with 1,89,64,218 vehicles having crossed the bridge since its inauguration. Meanwhile, 16,502 vehicles entered the bridge from the Jajira side, contributing Tk 2.26 crore in tolls on Thursday. The remaining 35,985 vehicles entered via the Mawa end, from which Tk 3.16 crore in tolls were collected. Joint Secretary and Director (Administration) of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Altaf Hossain Sheikh, who is currently overseeing operations of Padma Bridge, said the bridge is playing a vital role in ensuring smooth travel for holidaymakers heading home for Eid.  

For the families living along the vulnerable left bank of the Padma River, downstream of the Padma Bridge, the sound of rushing water is no longer poetic—it is a warning. With monsoon clouds gathering on the horizon, these riverside communities are once again bracing for nature’s fury, all while the embankment that promises to protect them remains incomplete. According to Engr Enamul Haque, Sub-divisional Engineer of the Munshiganj Water Development Board, only 47.67% of the work has been completed so far. Despite a multi-crore riverbank protection project launched nearly four years ago, thousands remain anxious and exposed. The project, which began in October 2021, was meant to bring long-awaited relief to erosion-prone stretches from Shimulia in Louhajang up to Dighirpar in Tongibari upazila.  But as the seasons have changed, little has changed for the people on the ground. “I lost my land and my house to the river over 20 years ago,” said Kazi Babul of Gaodia village.  “Now I live just 200 metres from the river. Every time it rains heavily, we stay awake at night. If only the embankment work was done—we might finally get a peaceful night’s sleep," he said.  The project, overseen by the Munshiganj Water Development Board, covers a total of 16.87 kilometres of riverbank.  Padma River erosion threatens homes and agri land in Faridpur Of this, 9.10 km is designated for permanent embankment work, and 4.62 km for precautionary protection, which involves placing geo-bags filled with sand in erosion-prone zones. Initially slated for completion by October 2023, the project has seen both its scope and cost expand significantly. The original budget was set at Tk 446 crore for a 9.1-kilometre stretch. As the project's length increased to 13.72 kilometres, the allocation rose to Tk 470 crore.  It was revised again in December last year, raising the budget to Tk 527 crore and the project length to 16.87 kilometres. But, the deadline has now been extended to September 2026. Yet progress remains painfully slow. Engr Enamul Haque said the project is being implemented through 26 separate packages. “The total length now stands at 16.87 km,” he said, noting this includes 1.3 km of pre-existing embankment. But, 1.85 km of vulnerable riverbank lies completely outside the project’s coverage, leaving residents in those pockets especially worried. Golam Mostafa, a resident near the mouth of the Konkoshar Canal, lives in one such area. “About 500 metres west of my house falls outside the embankment zone. Last year, waves caused serious damage during the monsoon. If we had permanent protection here, we would be able to live without this constant fear.” Mostafa noted that over the last 25 years, the Padma has swallowed nearly 40 villages in Louhajang and Tongibari. Around 50,000 families have lost their ancestral homes, farmland, and stability—becoming climate migrants within their own country. From a distance, the Padma flows with majestic calm. But for those living along its left bank, it carries memories of broken homes and washed-away futures.  Padma river embankment risks catastrophic collapse They’ve placed their hopes in the embankment project—a man-made barrier to halt a natural force. But until the work is finished, peace remains as elusive as dry ground during the monsoon. Engineer Haque assures that action will be taken if erosion appears, whether along permanent or temporary stretches. “We are monitoring closely. If any section shows signs of damage, we will respond immediately,” he said. Time and tide wait for no one. But for many like Babul and Golam Mostafa along its banks, they can only wait—and hope—that help arrives before the next storm does. With additional inputs from Julfekar Dehan

A sense of dread grips the banks of the Naodoba area in Jajira, Shariatpur, as the impending monsoon threatens to undo a decade’s worth of protective efforts around Bangladesh’s most iconic infrastructure project. Fresh erosion has struck the Padma Bridge project site with alarming force, leaving the vital protective embankment at Naodoba in Jajira teetering dangerously on the brink. Officials and residents alike warn that unless urgent measures are taken before the monsoon arrives, the consequences could be catastrophic – not only for the embankment, but for entire communities living in its shadow. “The situation is critical,” admitted Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Executive Engineer (Shariatpur WD Board) Tareq Hasan.“Nearly one kilometre of the riverbed has deepened significantly, destabilising the embankment. If we cannot reinforce it in time, Service Area-2, the army camp, Padma Bridge South Police Station, a primary school, Mongol Majhi and Sattar Madbor markets, roads and hundreds of families could all be at risk.” Constructed nearly a decade ago by the Bridges Division at a staggering cost of Tk 110 crore, the nearly two-kilometre-long embankment was meant to safeguard the Padma Bridge project site, he mentioned.  ACC to reinvestigate Padma Bridge corruption case against Sheikh Hasina Yet now, the ever-shifting Padma River has once again risen to challenge that. A visit to the area revealed that at least five to six different points along the embankment have seen sandy soil crumble and collapse into the Padma’s restless waters, with rows of geo-bags intended to protect the embankment lying dislodged and scattered, washed away by the mighty current. A joint survey by the BWDB and Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) paints a grim picture.  In nearly one kilometre of the area, the river has deepened dangerously close to the embankment, causing soil erosion from the riverbed. In the remaining stretch of one kilometre, the Padma has crept perilously close to the embankment, with erosion continuing unabated. As a result, the entire structure now stands vulnerable. The Padma creeps ever closer, with fears mounting that large sections of the embankment could be lost when water levels rise with the monsoon. Shubho Tara (45), a resident of Achimuddin Madbor’s Kandi, stands on what remains of her family’s land, staring into the swirling waters that have already swallowed generations of memories. “The Padma has taken everything – our homes, our lands, our dreams,” she said, her voice trembling. “We rebuilt, again and again, but every year it comes back stronger. Now, cracks are appearing near the embankment.” The warning signs had been there. Last November, nearly 100 metres of the embankment vanished into the river at Naodoba Zero Point, according to the BWDB and BBA survey. Although BWDB was alerted, repairs were delayed for months.  Emergency restoration finally began just days ago, on 25 April, using sand-filled geo-bags and concrete blocks at a cost of Tk 2.87 crore. Much awaited train service to begin on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge Tuesday When asked about why immediate action was not taken at the time, local BWDB officials provided no clear explanation. Now, as the clock ticks down to the rainy season, a frantic push is underway. A Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been hurriedly sent to the concerned ministry, seeking approval to undertake large-scale reinforcements, according to Tareq Hasan. However, even if greenlighted today, officials admit it would be impossible to fully complete the work before the monsoon peaks. BWDB officials such as Sub-Assistant Engineer Suman Kumar Banik remain hopeful but cautious. “We have submitted the project proposal and are awaiting approval. If it comes soon, we will start emergency work immediately,” he said, adding that full protection will not be possible this monsoon. “It will take until the next rainy season to complete,” he mentioned. Beyond technical reports and frantic paperwork, it is the riverside residents who bear the daily brunt of the erosion’s fury. Hundreds of homes now perch precariously close to the river’s edge, their foundations trembling. “Every night when the wind howls, we cannot sleep. We just pray that by morning, our home is still here,” added Shubho Tara. As the sun dips behind the Padma, its restless waters lap hungrily at the banks. And now, with the first rains beginning to fall, hundreds like Tara, living in fear, stand still – holding their breath against the river’s relentless, consuming pull. With additional inputs from Julfekar Dehan  

The much-sought train service connecting Khulna and Dhaka via the Padma Bridge officially began operations on Tuesday.  The inaugural journey of the Jahanabad Express started from Khulna Railway Station at 6:00 AM with an expected arrival time of 9:45 AM at Dhaka Railway Station. The new service, part of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Khulna and Dhaka, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s rail connectivity. An official ceremony at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka was attended by  Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Railways, who inaugurated the service.  With the launch of two passenger trains—the Jahanabad Express (Khulna-Dhaka-Khulna) and the Ruposhi Bangla Express (Benapole-Dhaka-Benapole)—train journey in the region is now faster and more efficient.  Much awaited train service to begin on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge Tuesday The Ministry of Railways said the new route via the Padma Bridge will cut travel time to just under four hours.  Travellers said this is a significant improvement compared to the current travel time of 9 hours 30 minutes from Dhaka to Khulna via Tangail and Ishwardi, and 7 hours 35 minutes to Benapole via Rajbari. Train Schedules The Jahanabad Express (Train No. 825) departs Khulna at 6:00 AM and arrives in Dhaka at 9:45 AM. On its return journey, Train No. 826 departs Dhaka at 8:00 PM and reaches Khulna at 11:40 PM. Along the way, it stops at Noapara, Singia Junction, Lohagora, Kashiani Junction, and Bhanga Junction stations. Similarly, the Ruposhi Bangla Express (Train No. 828) departs Dhaka at 10:45 AM and reaches Benapole at 2:30 PM. On its return, Train No. 827 departs Benapole at 3:30 PM and arrives in Dhaka at 7:10 PM, with stops at Jessore Junction, Narail, Kashiani Junction, and Bhanga Junction. Both trains are equipped with 12 coaches, accommodating 768 passengers.  Advance tickets are available online and at designated station counters since Saturday (Dec 21).  The trains will operate six days a week, with a weekly break on Mondays. New Dhaka-Khulna train services via Padma Bridge to launch on Dec 24 Boost for Regional Travel The inauguration of this service heralds a new era for rail travel in Bangladesh, offering passengers a faster, more comfortable alternative for long-distance journeys. The new trains are expected to enhance connectivity, reduce travel costs, and boost trade and tourism between Dhaka, Khulna, Benapole, and surrounding regions.

Two new passenger train services will be launched from Dhaka to Khulna and Benapole via Kashiani Junction through Padma Bridge on December 24. The Ministry of Railways announced this in a press release on Wednesday. 'Jahanabad Express' on Khulna-Dhaka-Khulna route and 'Ruposhi Bangla' Express on Benapole-Dhaka-Benapole route will travel regularly, keeping a one-day break in a week. New commuter train service launched on Dhaka-Gazipur route Benapole can be reached from Dhaka via Khulna in just four hours by this newly launched train. Dhaka-Khulna trains took eight hours via the Padma Bridge rail link, as they passed through Bhanga junction, Poradah, Faridpur, and Rajbari. Older route via the Jamuna Bridge took 14 hours. Mother with 8-month-old infant jumps in front of train in Gazipur; both dead The new trains are expected to significantly reduce travel time. Passengers will reach Khulna or Benapole from Dhaka in approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Tickets will be available starting December 21 at 8 pm through station counters, online platforms, and mobile apps.

Starting in July, residents of Chuadanga district will have direct train access to Dhaka, reducing travel time to just five hours. The Bangladesh Railway is resuming direct rail service on the Dhaka-Darshana route, this time via the Padma Bridge, a move anticipated to greatly benefit commuters. A media release from the Railway’s Western region announced that a pair of trains will run on this route. The first train will depart Darshana for Dhaka around 7 am, arriving at noon. It will then leave Dhaka at 1 pm, reaching Darshana by 4 pm. The second train will operate from 4:30 pm to 9:40 pm and from 11:55 pm to 5 am the following morning. In addition, three trains—Chitra, Benapole, and Sundarban Express—will operate from Jashore's Rupdia or Padmabila to Dhaka via Kushtia, Mobarakganj, and Kotchandpur through the Padma Bridge. Passengers disembarking from moving trains raises safety concerns Currently, Bangladesh Railway operates local, mail, commuter, and intercity trains. Fares range from Tk 0.39 per km for local trains to Tk 1.95 per km for air-conditioned intercity trains. Abdullah Al Mamun, a Dhaka-bound passenger at Chuadanga Rail Station, expressed optimism: “The train line is divided into two parts. If these two trains start, we will benefit from the passenger-tickets, and hopefully, we will get tickets on time. Besides, it will take less time to go to Dhaka.”

Awami League has pledged to undertake new projects to accelerate the pace of the country's economy. The manifesto with the slogan ““Smart Bangladesh: Visible Development, Increased Employment” was announced by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today at the Pan Pacific Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka ahead of the 12th National Parliamentary Election slated for January 7, 2024. The manifesto of Awami League states that mega projects are crucial for achieving high growth rates. The biggest obstacles in the path of the country's development were the lack of necessary infrastructure in various economic sectors, including roads, electricity and energy, and ports. With this goal in mind, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has undertaken and implemented several major projects (mega projects) in three terms. It is hoped that these projects, including the Padma Bridge – a symbol of national pride and glory – will inject the expected momentum into development. The manifesto mentions that during the tenure of the Awami League government, many significant projects have been initiated. On June 25, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the country's largest bridge, funded by own resources. The Padma Bridge has created a safe, reliable, sustainable, and integrated system for unhindered communication across the country. This bridge will be part of the Asian Highway, opening new horizons for communication among South Asian countries. It is stated that the inauguration of the railway linked to the Padma Multipurpose Bridge on October 10, 2023, has brought many districts of the southern region under rail connectivity with Dhaka. PM Hasina unveils AL election manifesto promising dev, peace, prosperity The manifesto also says that the Dhaka Metro Rail is a step towards building a smart Bangladesh. It will not only free the citizens of Dhaka from unbearable traffic congestion but also reduce air and noise pollution in the capital. The ease of the transportation system will increase economic dynamism, and the metro rail will save working hours for people. It is mentioned that the construction of a 3.32 km tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, connecting Patenga with Anwara, has transformed the Port City into a “One Way, Two Town” model. The manifesto notes that the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on October 7, 2023, has opened a new horizon in air communication. On September 2, 2023, with the inauguration of the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Bangladesh entered the world of elevated expressways. On November 11, 2023, the channel of the Matarbari deep-sea port and the foundation stone of the first terminal were inaugurated. Once operational, this port will allow both container and cargo ships to dock simultaneously. Voter turnout will be satisfactory despite intimidation: Quader The manifesto states that on November 11, 2023, the much-awaited 102 km railway line from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar was inaugurated. This railway line will connect Bangladesh with the Trans-Asian Railway corridor and transform Cox's Bazar into a smart city. It was mentioned that on October 10, 2021, and October 18, 2022, the first and second units' nuclear reactor pressure vessels at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant were inaugurated, earning Bangladesh the honor of becoming the 33rd member of the nuclear club. The manifesto notes that on September 6, 2022, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Rampal coal-based power plant, which has a production capacity of 1,320 megawatts. In August 2018, Bangladesh began supplying gas to the national grid from the country's first LNG terminal, followed by the commencement of the second LNG terminal in April 2019. Each terminal at Maheshkhali's LNG floating storage has a daily regasification capacity of 50 crore cubic feet. The manifesto states that Payra Seaport, the country's third port, has been established in Patuakhali. Due to infrastructural development, the first container ship anchored at the port on August 13, 2016. The Awami League's manifesto promises that, considering financial management, some expensive projects have been suspended, which will be reconsidered and implemented as appropriate. The consideration and adoption of economically feasible new projects will continue. Food for All: AL Manifesto Emphasizes Agricultural Development for a Hunger-Free Bangladesh