The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Khulna

The construction of the long- cherished Padma Bridge will begin in July 2010 with the cost being estimated at Taka 10,161.75 crore.

A meeting of the council of advisers was told on Tuesday that the design of the bridge would be submitted by 2009.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed chaired the meeting at Khulna Circuit House.

The meeting of the council, fifth of its kind outside Dhaka, also approved a 32-point package proposal for development of Khulna as well as southwestern region of the country.

It endorsed in principle the draft of the Union Parishad Ordinance-2008 with a view to strengthening the local government bodies.

Under the development package, Dhaka-Maowa-Benapole highway and a bridge on Kalna point would be constructed at a cost of Taka 600 crore, the project of 250-bed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital would be completed, a cutter suction dredging machine would be procured spending Taka 58.56 crore for Mongla port while steps would be taken to infuse dynamism into the activities of the port.

The development package also includes implementation of 10 million US dollar Sundarbans Environmental and Livelihood Security Project with financial assistance of European Commission (EC).

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting. LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal briefed on the 32-point development package proposal.

Advisers and special assistants to the chief adviser attended the meeting. Cabinet secretary, press secretary to the chief adviser and secretaries concerned were present.