Padma Bridge is so important for Bangladesh, it will connect the south-west region of the country with the central part
including the capital Dhaka and to the second largest city Chittagong. Though south-west region has rail communication with
Dhaka, but that journey takes too long time. The proposed Padma Bridge may change the situation dramatically.
Padma Bridge was one of the most important election pledges of the ruling party. They think this bridge project may help
them to retain office in the next election.
As a developing country it was not easy for Bangladesh to finance for this mega project. Several donor agencies and
countries pledged to finance for this project. The World Bank alone pledged to sanction 1.2 million US dollar. But they
decided to quit amid allegation of corruption. According to the World Bank they have strong evidence of that.
The Bangladesh government repeatedly denied the allegation. They said World Bank has failed to provide proper evidence, so
that they can take action against the involved officials.
The Bangladesh government is thinking that this is direct humiliation of sovereignty. The government has decided to go with
its own fund. They will rearrange the allocation of funds in this fiscal year.
The cabinet also directed national board of revenue to find out how they can collect more revenue. The cabinet asked the
respective officials to calculate how much money will be required in foreign currency and how much in local currency.
Government will issue bonds to collect fund, they will also eye on nonresident Bangladeshis. The prime minister has alleged
that the World Bank has delayed the project and the project cost increased in the process. World Bank should compensate for
that.
