‘AL can’t bridge Padma’

A BNP leader has blamed 'government corruption' for the World Bank's backing off from the country's biggest-ever infrastructure project -- the 6.15 kms rail-road bridge on river Padma.

Parliament Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 18 June 2013, 11:09 PM
Updated : 19 June 2013, 02:33 AM

পদ্মা সেতু ‘প্রস্তাব চূড়ান্ত করতে আসছে মালয়শিয়া’

During his Tuesday’s parliament speech, opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Zafrul Islam Chowdhury also expressed doubt whether the government could construct a bridge over the mighty river.
“You cannot build Padma bridge ... The World Bank has caught your corruption. Bridging Padma within five months is simply impossible – these are empty words and nothing but a madman’s rambling,” he said.
The former State Minister said BNP would build two bridges over Padma river if elected to power.
It was on the same day that the World Bank assessment panel’s report was published in its website. The report flayed the Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission for leaving out former Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain from the list of graft suspects.
The World Bank had halted its pledged loan for the project alleging the graft.
After ending ties with the Washington-based global lender for the project, in January this year the government of Bangladesh had announced to build the bridge with almost $3 billion, to be funded from its own exchequer.
Zafrul was responding to ruling MPs’ claim of massive developments during the current government’s tenure. “I cannot see what you have been claiming.”
The MP from Cox’s Bazar recommended construction of small dams and a forestation drive be carried out in coastal areas to counter adverse effects of climate change.