The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Implementation of the proposed Mawa-Jajira Padma Bridge project will help increase GDP growth by 1.20 percent nationally and 35 percent growth in southwestern region.

This was revealed in 'Economic Update December '08', quarterly report of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Side by side improving the internal communication system, the proposed bridge will also play a particular role in establishing a coordinated transport network in South Asia, the report said.

The 5.5-kilometre proposed bridge will reduce distance between Dhaka and the southern districts of the country by 100 kilometres.

The ADB report said, the Padma bridge will play an important role in improving Bangladesh's trade relations with Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Nepal.

It is expected that the railway link of the Padma Bridge will bring good results in inter-regional economic cooperation, the report said and added, it will reduce distance between Dhaka and Kolkata remarkably.

After construction of the Padma bridge, the distance between Dhaka and Benapole will reduce to 200-kilometre from the existing 518-kilometer via the Jamuna Bridge.