POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 25, 2022 : Today, June 25, the inauguration of the Padma Bridge. Prothom Alo spoke to the people involved in the construction and supervision of this bridge . An interview with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal was published today.
Mustafa Kamal: The World Bank has returned without any reason. I am a certified accountant. As he can say that not a single penny was spent on the project, where will the corruption come from? Later I saw that even after saying ‘no’, the World Bank did not give up hope. In those days we started the work of implementing the project with our own funds. We then said it was too late. The people of the country have to say ‘yes’. There is no other way. Whatever the misunderstanding, I have made it clear that we do not dislike them. Admitting the mistake they (World Bank) came later with the whole team.
Why did you come?
Mustafa Kamal: To be involved in the Padma Bridge project. I have said, at least there is no more opportunity on the Padma bridge. They may be in another project. You will get proof of the meeting we had at the Ministry of Planning.
Has the World Bank invited anyone to the opening ceremony of the Padma Bridge?
Mustafa Kamal: (laughs). It’s something they forgot. Go to the World Bank Dhaka office and bring their interview. See what their mentality is and what they are thinking about Bangladesh. Management changes there. The man who made the decision in 2012-13 has now moved to Japan. Maybe then the World Bank thought the project was too big, can’t be managed properly, it’s a shame. So then ‘no’ did.
The construction cost of the bridge was estimated at Tk 10,161 crore during the last caretaker government. Later the expenditure increased to Tk 30,193 crore. Many criticize spending more.
Mustafa Kamal : There are many issues here. Not to mention the cost of the Padma Bridge. People have to be rehabilitated. I had to buy land. There has to be a lot of roads. The issue of river governance was not there before. It has been added. Rail added. So the cost has gone up. If you just want to match with money, you don’t have to. Economists, planners and researchers who are there, they will understand better. Its honor and dignity has taken Bangladesh to the whole world. The bridge has been built due to the leadership of the Prime Minister and the stability of the government. Otherwise one government would have come, another government would have left it.
How many people in how many districts will benefit from the Padma Bridge and how much will the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increase?
Mustafa Kamal : At least four crore people in 21 districts of three divisions will benefit. And the rate of GDP will increase from 1 to 1.5 percent. The GDP will increase from থেকে 600 to কোটি 800 crore (টাকা 700 crore is হাজার 83,800 crore at ৯ 92 per dollar).
How long will this increase?
Mustafa Kamal : Every year. Regional GDP will grow even more. There will be industries, there will be development in agriculture, the people of the area will benefit more.
What is the plan, if you say …
Mustafa Kamal : Of course there is. When this project becomes open, the cost of doing business will decrease. The things that are in that area and where the demand for that thing is high, will go away.
Since people will be able to come to Dhaka in less time after the Padma Bridge is launched, is there any danger of putting more pressure on Dhaka?
Mustafa Kamal : Thinking about it. The World Bank is working on it. The World Bank is moving ahead with a project called ‘Beautiful Dhaka’. We are expanding the city from all sides. Metrorail is becoming this gap. As people will come to Dhaka then, they will also leave.
