Water flow, nature of soil being considered:Daily Sun

Jamilur Reza Chowdhury Padma Bridge is being constructed taking into consideration the flow of water, nature of soil and traits of fishes in the Padma River. Work on the project has already begun. Only four years to go to have the dream bridge. Progress in work is satisfactory. This is how master engineer Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, key consultant of the Padma Bridge project, reacts in an exclusi
ve interview with the online news portal on Thursday. The Padma is mighty having the second largest water flow after the Amazon. Building a bridge over the Padma and training the river are really challenging. Its soft bed makes holes. River training continues, considering all these aspects. A volume of 1.40 lakh cubic metres of water flows per second in the area where the bridge is being constructed. It is a tough job to keep the flow unaffected. The taste of delicious hilsa of the Padma is best known to the world. Hilsa is caught in midstream. Ensuring movement of the fish is also another daunting task. In reference to the mathematical calculation of the water flow in the Padma, Prof Jamil tried to show the actual situation there. He is working with utmost sincerity, qualification and expertise coupled with his academic knowledge in the mega project. Various challenges with regard to Padma Bridge are already over. Surmounting the obstacles, the project work goes in full swing. Prof Jamil, also an adviser of a caretaker government, termed the project like Padma Bridge challenging in the global context. He says main structure and river training are the key challenges. “We have to keep in mind that the waters of Ganges and Brahmaputra are heading to the sea via the Padma channel. Setting a target of 100 years’ estimated longevity, the bridge is being built. It is expected to be functional for a period exceeding the limit. To ensure uninterrupted flow of water, one pillar is being erected at a 150-metre distance from the other. He said the extent of obstruction to the flow here will be less than that of the Jamuna. Drawing an analogy, he said Jamuna’s water spreads covering a range of 12 kilometres during monsoon. Of the area, 4.5 km has been blocked due to the bridge. But Padma spreads across 10 km area near the project area during rainy season. To keep the effect minimal, necessary steps were taken. The bridge is shifted 6.15km off the area. The former BUET teacher said the soil of the Padma is very soft. The weight of the bridge and motor vehicles and train on it will have to be tolerated by the soil. In normal period, soil cannot tolerate the load. Erosion in the river bed and any potential earthquake may be an added risk. A hole measuring 62-metre deep is created during erosion. The hollow equals a 10-storey building. To protect the bridge, every pillar should be put 118 metres deep into earth. He further considered installation of the pillars to be difficult task. Only one company of Germany having expertise to install the pile has been assigned to do the job. The company has already started making high-powered hydraulic hammer to install the piles. Later, 250 piles will be installed. It is undoubtedly a complicated job. The entire work is being done under five packages. Building the main structure is the key task. It will cost $150 crore (nearly Tk 12,000 crore). The river will be trained at $100 crore (around Tk 8,000 crore). There are three other smaller projects, including construction of an approach road at Mawa. Five other bridges will also be built at Jajira. As part of logistic support, some office buildings and residential houses are being built. The affected people of the locality are being rehabilitated. Local contractors have been assigned to do the job. The equipment for the main structure has started to be procured. Soil test on the river banks is underway. Prof Jamil expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project work. The expert discussed another important issue after explaining technical aspect of the bridge. He said the issue of hilsa fish has been considered on the design of the bridge. Prof Jamil said, “I’m very happy with everything in the project. The project is progressing satisfactorily. I hope we would be able to start this bridge for movement within four years. With its completion, the dream of crores of people will come true.” On political, economic and technical coordination, he said, “I do believe that there’s no lack of cordiality from the government in implementing this political pledge. Besides, other political parties are showing positive attitudes to this project.” Prof Jamil said it needs about 10 to 15 years’ time in implementing such a bridge project. Usually, government changes in the course of political perspective, but nobody restricts such project. Citing the example of Bangabandhu Bridge, he said, “Ershad first took the initiative to build the bridge, but Khaleda Zia laid the foundation stone. Finally, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated it after assuming office.” On financial perspective, Prof Jamil said Padma Bridge is being constructed with own funds. Fifteen per cent of the budget money has already been sanctioned. This is also a big challenge as other small projects may lag behind for financing this mega project. Bangladesh will be a shining example to the world once the bridge is completed successfully, he observed.