Staff Reporter :The government is highly concerned over the security of one of its mega development projects — Padma Multipurpose Bridge — following recent terror attacks in different parts of the country.Officials said several foreign nationals are working day and night in the construction site to finish the multi-billion dollar project in due time. In the recent days, the militants are targeting innocent foreigners who are involved in different development projects. So, there may be an apprehension of terror attack at Padma Bridge site, they said. “It [Padma Bridge] may be a target of militants while it is one of the biggest projects of the government. We’re anxious about the matter, but not feared. We’re working hard to ensure security in the Project construction site,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Sunday. The Minister was exchanging views with the security personnel of different agencies, including Army, RAB, police and Fire Service and Civil Defence, in the conference room of service area -1 of Padma Bridge project at Dogachhi under Sree Nagar in Munshiganj district.The Minister expressed his apprehension at a time, when Islamist militants are conducting attacks in different parts of the country targeting foreign nationals those working in different development projects, or export-oriented RMG sector. “The Padma Bridge is not only a development project, it is also a project of honour and proud. Already, installation of 20 piles has been finished along with completion of 36 per cent of the total project work,” Obaidul Quader said.Secretary of Bridges Division Khandker Anwarul Islam, Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam, Major General Abu Sayed Mohammad Masud, Brigadier General Shahidul Islam, Brigadier General Mohammad Hamid, among others, were present there. Officials concerned said that adequate security measures have been taken for all foreign nationals in Bangladesh, especially those working in the construction of Padma Bridge and Metro Rail projects.They also said that overall security would be provided if any foreign national wants to go anywhere in the country. After the July 1 Gulshan terror attack that left 17 foreigners’ dead, the Minister said it would not dampen the tempo of work on vital projects like the Metro Rail and Padma Bridge. Foreign companies are collaborating in these mega projects.The Minister expressed anguish at the death of the foreigners, including seven Japanese nationals involved in the proposed Metro Rail inspection team in the Gulshan terror attack. “We are very sad, pained and grief-stricken”, he said.
