Army in Padma bridge building: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accepted 'on principle' the formation of an army ‘composite brigade’ for security and supervision during construction of the Padma bridge, the largest infrastructure project of Bangladesh so far.

Speaking at a function in Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday, Hasina said the brigade will comprise of an engineering component with two infantry units.

The physical and structural development involved with the project will help the army gain huge experience, she said.

The army has already executed several key projects like Hatirjheel, Banani overpass, Zillur Rahman flyover, Mirpur-Airport connecting road and bridges in Thanchi and Ruma in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

“The army is also working to extend the Joydebpur-Momenshahi highway. They have completed repairs on Meghna-Gomti bridges”, said the Prime Minister.

The government announced that it will construct the 6.15 kms long Padma Bridge with the country’s own resources after withdrawing the funding request with the World Bank, which had alluded to possible corruption in issuing the project consultancy to Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin.

LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam asked the army to prepare for building the Padma bridge, while he inaugurated the Haitrjheel project at the beginning of this year.

After that the Bridges Division appointed the army to supervise and secure the construction of the Padma Bridge’s link road in Mawa and Jazira point, and do up its service area.

The Prime Minister praised the army’s 9th infantry division for the Rana Plaza rescue operation.

Sheikh Hasina said the army which emerged out of the 1971 Liberation War is a now a cohesive and a professional force.

“We must promote those officers who are loyal and have integrity." she said.