Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday inaugurated the much-anticipated 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge for the vehicular movement.
The premier formally opened the bridge at 11:50am by unveiling the inaugural plaque and mural-1 after paying toll at the Mawa point. She joined a munajat there.
Earlier, she unveiled commemorative postage stamps, souvenir sheets, opening day cover and seals at Mawa point to mark the grand opening of the country’s biggest self-financed mega project which is likely to boost GDP by 1.2 to 2 percent.
The primer reached at Padma Bridge’s inauguration ceremony programme in Mawa by a helicopter at 10am.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader presided the programme while Cabinet Secretary Anwarul Islam gave welcome speech.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker, cabinet members, political party leaders, ambassadors of different countries, journalists and teachers were present among others during this time.
Before the opening of the Padma Bridge, she also took photos with the concerned officials involved in construction of the bridge.
The premier became the first person to cross the Padma Bridge by paying toll and went to the Jajira end to join a public rally.
The Padma Bridge became visible with the installation of the first span on 37th and 38th number pillars on September 30, 2017.
Later, all 41 spans were installed on 42 pillars one after another. The entire structure of the multi-purpose 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge became visible with installation of its last 41st span on December 10, 2020.