Md. Azgar Ali :
In 1999, the then Awami League government examined the pre-feasibility of the Padma Bridge now which is almost visible. The hope of building the bridge was created from that year. The government and the experts of the bridge project hope that the bridge will be operational in the next one and a half year as all the complex work has been completed. An economic study has been done on the impact of the Padma Bridge on the socio-economic condition of the people of the southern district. The launch of the Padma Bridge will have a much positive impact on the over all country’s economy. There will be positive growth in GDP. The survey found that the bridge would boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by 1.23 percent.
Dhaka is the largest economic, social and cultural hub of Bangladesh. Easy communication with the capital will increase economic activity in the southern and south-western districts. It will indirectly increase the demand for goods and services. Construction work on the two sides of the Padma Bridge will increase by 29 percent. Agriculture in the region will grow by 9.5 percent. Besides, the work in the transport sector will increase by 7 percent. As a result, direct or indirect employment of 50 million people will be created by 2030. As a result, the poverty rate in the south-western part of the country across the Padma River will be reduced by 1 percent. Reducing poverty in the region will have an impact across the country. Then the national poverty rate will be reduced to zero point six percent. This economic picture has come up in the research of several organizations. Country’s economists, experts and other concerned people think this bridge will create immense potential for the economy. According to them, if the bridge is launched, the economy of South Bengal will be connected with the national economy. New industrial establishments will be formed around the southern region. This will increase investment and employment. Besides, foreign investors will also be attracted. Overall, these activities will create a positive trend in economic growth. This bridge will increase national, international and regional connectivity and will also be connected to the Asian Highway. If it is introduced, the economy of South Bengal will be connected with the national economy. Because, many infrastructure works of the region are being developed due to the construction of the Padma Bridge. These developments will attract foreign investors and increase foreign investment. Besides, there are plans to establish communication with India, Nepal and Bhutan. In particular, the benefits of Payra and Mongla ports will be associated with the country’s main economy. Meanwhile, various industrial groups have become interested in investing in the south region. Already they have started taking initiative to set up factories here. Especially many ready-made garment factories will be set up. The real estate business will expand rapidly. Hotel business and tourism will flourish and benefit in the region. Every year a large number of tourists visit various destinations in the south. Especially in the Sundarbans and Kuakata, there will be a crowd of domestic and foreign tourists. Besides, there is a possibility of urbanization on both sides of the Padma due to construction of the bridge. In the meantime, many housing companies have taken up projects on both sides of the road from Dhaka to Mawa. Many are showing interest in these housing projects in the expressway that has been built because of the bridge. As there is a lot of agricultural land in the southern area, agro-based industries will also develop quickly.
One thing needs to be noted that the Bangabandhu Bridge was built to meet the expectations of industrial development in the north-western part of the country, which would create employment opportunities for the people, solve unemployment and reduce mass migration towards the capital. Although there has been some benefit in marketing and supplying agricultural products produced in the region to other parts of the country, but the main objective has not been fulfilled. The root causes are lack of export oriented ports, investment friendly environment for domestic and foreign investors, structural defects in the transport and communication system and traffic congestion and so on. To get investment benefits centered on the Padma Bridge, specific plans and investment policy reforms need to be strengthened. If these things can be reformed quickly, then the benefits can be reaped very quickly. At the same time, the link roads need to be renovated to reach the people of the villages and areas that are connected to the Padma Bridge. Not conventional, timely new toll system should be introduced. These alternative trends in keeping the economy afloat are to be welcomed and toll rates must be kept affordable and low. Particularly, the full benefits of the Padma Bridge cannot be enjoyed if the traffic congestion at these two entrances and exits of Dhaka is not controlled. Success of a country’s economy predominantly depends on the efficient delivery of communication services of which efficient transportation system can identify as the key element of any development. An adequate and efficient transport system is a pre-requisite for sustainable economic development. In this regard, it should be bear in mind that bridges play a crucial role in various aspects of communication connectivity which enabling us to get to work and contributing to the country’s economic development. The Padma Bridge is a development milestone which will be a source of new inspiration to the people of Bangladesh and has a potential to go to a high income country by 2041. It is hoped that the spirit and inspirations of the Padma Bridge will be used to meet all future development and challenges ahead.
Finally yet importantly, it should be remembered, if the mega projects associated with the Padma Bridge can be successfully implemented, we believe that Bangladesh will be the main leader of the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and beyond.
In 1999, the then Awami League government examined the pre-feasibility of the Padma Bridge now which is almost visible. The hope of building the bridge was created from that year. The government and the experts of the bridge project hope that the bridge will be operational in the next one and a half year as all the complex work has been completed. An economic study has been done on the impact of the Padma Bridge on the socio-economic condition of the people of the southern district. The launch of the Padma Bridge will have a much positive impact on the over all country’s economy. There will be positive growth in GDP. The survey found that the bridge would boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by 1.23 percent.
Dhaka is the largest economic, social and cultural hub of Bangladesh. Easy communication with the capital will increase economic activity in the southern and south-western districts. It will indirectly increase the demand for goods and services. Construction work on the two sides of the Padma Bridge will increase by 29 percent. Agriculture in the region will grow by 9.5 percent. Besides, the work in the transport sector will increase by 7 percent. As a result, direct or indirect employment of 50 million people will be created by 2030. As a result, the poverty rate in the south-western part of the country across the Padma River will be reduced by 1 percent. Reducing poverty in the region will have an impact across the country. Then the national poverty rate will be reduced to zero point six percent. This economic picture has come up in the research of several organizations. Country’s economists, experts and other concerned people think this bridge will create immense potential for the economy. According to them, if the bridge is launched, the economy of South Bengal will be connected with the national economy. New industrial establishments will be formed around the southern region. This will increase investment and employment. Besides, foreign investors will also be attracted. Overall, these activities will create a positive trend in economic growth. This bridge will increase national, international and regional connectivity and will also be connected to the Asian Highway. If it is introduced, the economy of South Bengal will be connected with the national economy. Because, many infrastructure works of the region are being developed due to the construction of the Padma Bridge. These developments will attract foreign investors and increase foreign investment. Besides, there are plans to establish communication with India, Nepal and Bhutan. In particular, the benefits of Payra and Mongla ports will be associated with the country’s main economy. Meanwhile, various industrial groups have become interested in investing in the south region. Already they have started taking initiative to set up factories here. Especially many ready-made garment factories will be set up. The real estate business will expand rapidly. Hotel business and tourism will flourish and benefit in the region. Every year a large number of tourists visit various destinations in the south. Especially in the Sundarbans and Kuakata, there will be a crowd of domestic and foreign tourists. Besides, there is a possibility of urbanization on both sides of the Padma due to construction of the bridge. In the meantime, many housing companies have taken up projects on both sides of the road from Dhaka to Mawa. Many are showing interest in these housing projects in the expressway that has been built because of the bridge. As there is a lot of agricultural land in the southern area, agro-based industries will also develop quickly.
One thing needs to be noted that the Bangabandhu Bridge was built to meet the expectations of industrial development in the north-western part of the country, which would create employment opportunities for the people, solve unemployment and reduce mass migration towards the capital. Although there has been some benefit in marketing and supplying agricultural products produced in the region to other parts of the country, but the main objective has not been fulfilled. The root causes are lack of export oriented ports, investment friendly environment for domestic and foreign investors, structural defects in the transport and communication system and traffic congestion and so on. To get investment benefits centered on the Padma Bridge, specific plans and investment policy reforms need to be strengthened. If these things can be reformed quickly, then the benefits can be reaped very quickly. At the same time, the link roads need to be renovated to reach the people of the villages and areas that are connected to the Padma Bridge. Not conventional, timely new toll system should be introduced. These alternative trends in keeping the economy afloat are to be welcomed and toll rates must be kept affordable and low. Particularly, the full benefits of the Padma Bridge cannot be enjoyed if the traffic congestion at these two entrances and exits of Dhaka is not controlled. Success of a country’s economy predominantly depends on the efficient delivery of communication services of which efficient transportation system can identify as the key element of any development. An adequate and efficient transport system is a pre-requisite for sustainable economic development. In this regard, it should be bear in mind that bridges play a crucial role in various aspects of communication connectivity which enabling us to get to work and contributing to the country’s economic development. The Padma Bridge is a development milestone which will be a source of new inspiration to the people of Bangladesh and has a potential to go to a high income country by 2041. It is hoped that the spirit and inspirations of the Padma Bridge will be used to meet all future development and challenges ahead.
Finally yet importantly, it should be remembered, if the mega projects associated with the Padma Bridge can be successfully implemented, we believe that Bangladesh will be the main leader of the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and beyond.
(Md. Azgar Ali is Publicity Secretary, Bangladesh Statistical Association. Email: [email protected])
