Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has directed officials to advance plans for second bridges over the Padma and Jamuna rivers and for a Padma barrage.
He called for a Y-shaped connection for the second Padma bridge and instructed planners to prioritize transport links to Rangpur and the wider north in work on the second Jamuna bridge.
The prime minister issued the directives at a meeting with officials from relevant ministries and divisions at the Secretariat on Tuesday, November 3.
Officials said feasibility studies for the two bridges were under way. Final decisions on locations, designs and project costs will be made after the studies are completed next September.
The meeting discussed the proposed Y-shaped connection for the second Padma bridge. Officials said it could improve links between Dhaka and the southwest and create alternative routes to Mongla seaport and the Benapole and Darshana land ports.
Plans for the second Jamuna bridge would prioritize improved transport connections to Rangpur and other northern areas.
The meeting also discussed a Padma barrage to address dry-season water shortages, increase agricultural production, preserve river flow and environmental balance, and support a road link across the structure.
Officials reviewed financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation and coordination among ministries and agencies.
Ministers and state ministers responsible for road transport and bridges, railways, shipping, local government and water resources attended, along with senior secretaries and officials from the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Roads and Highways Department and the Padma Barrage project.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report