Padma Bridge

KL delegation to visit Dhaka soon

DHAKA: A Malaysian delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh soon with a preliminary proposal for the construction of the much talked-about 6.15km Padma Bridge.

The delegation will share their ideas about financing and construction of the bridge in their proposal since the two governments have concluded preliminary formalities after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Confirming the matter, a senior official of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) said, “We are waiting for the proposal. Nothing is finalized yet.”

He added: “We will listen to the Malaysian delegation and go through the proposal they make.”

“The delegation could arrive any time,” he added.

He said BBA has been directed to work on its capacity building to negotiate and oversee the new project proposal from the South East Asian country.

Since the row between the government and the project’s main financier, World Bank, ensued over corruption in the bidding process that made uncertain the financing of the multi-donor project, the government has been looking for an alternative funding source.

Malaysia was the first country that offered to provide assistance for the project.

Though the government has continued its efforts to resolve the crisis with the World Bank, it also negotiated with the Malaysian government to fulfill its election pledge.

On October 10 in the last year, the World Bank had suspended its funding for the project following charges of corruption in river dredging, appointment of consultants and preliminary selections.
The World Bank earlier had promised $1.2-billion financing for the country’s longest bridge over the mighty Padma River that cuts off country’s southwest from the capital.
BDST: 2109 HRS, MAY 14, 2012

Edited by:
Maria Salam, Asst Output Editor
M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor