When our leader announced to build the Padma Bridge with our own money, everyone was in a frenzy - some people said she was crazy! Padma Bridge is not possible without the help of the World Bank! I was next to her. Many people have also said many things about me. Today we have completed all activities of Padma Bridge.
This bridge is a testament of our determination and leadership, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of Padma Bridge Construction Project organized by Bridges Division held at the Mawa end on Friday.
The minister said that the World Bank withdrew its support amidst allegations that was made us disappointed. In July 2012, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared in the National Parliament that the bridge would be constructed with Bangladesh’s own funds. Despite doubts and criticisms from various quarters, this vision has now been realized. “There was dense fog in Padma area when we were installing the first span on the pillar, the Prime Minister was out of the country. We wanted to install the span in presence of her. When contacted, the Prime Minister said, the work of Padma Bridge will not stop for a second for me. This was an inspiration for us,” said the minister.
He also said that there had been calls from across Bangladesh, including from Parliament, to name the bridge after Sheikh Hasina. However, the Prime Minister insisted that the bridge be named after the Padma River, reflecting her humility.
He further said that the Padma Bridge stands as one of the greatest achievements in the history of the Bengali nation, second only to the independence of Bangladesh under the leadership of Bangabandhu. It may have been possible because she is Sheikh Mujib's daughter.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bridge Department Secretary Md. Manjur Hossain, former senior secretary of the Bridge Department Khandkar Anwarul Islam, Padma Bridge Project Director Shafiqul Islam, and other dignitaries.
