Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
The Padma bridge is $3 billion project. This $200 million won't go far in light of that.
There is no substitute for WB or ADB funds.
World bank along with JICA, ADB an IDB very much refused to finance the bridge under corrupt Awami League regime. But india willing to spend $200 million for election time stunt and so Awami League looting can continue. Before, 2008 election india sent bag of cash under the table this time india using Padma Bridge for Awami League election bid.
but what about doing it by own hands and bla bla, We never learnt to be pragmatic. 200 m is a good number but for this bridge is petty. We need atleast ADB and JICA on this.
India extended $1 billion credit and it is not a Grant, please note. Since this credit envisages purchasing of goods and materials from India, Bangladesh has found it so difficult to use up this credit. Now, seeing an opportunity to push sell its goods, India is prescribing this $200 million for Padma. If this $200million is really for material procurement from India I do not see any reason that BD will ever use it if either WB or China gets involved in the construction of this bridge.
whats wrong if the deal benefits both the countries??
If China is involved in Padma Bridge construction project, I guess, it will go to India to procure fabricated steel members. It will probably be cheap when steel members are bought and then fabricated in India than to do the same in a far away China. However, I am not sure Indian steel companies can produce steel members without tiny fractures unseen by the bare eyes, but can be seen by X-ray machines.
These hair cracks are dangerous and can shorten the life span of the bridge. This is one of the reasons that BD side needs a well-renowned bridge consulting company who will look after BD interest. BD itself certainly does not have that kind of expertise. I have seen so many of BD posters talking about BUET expertise. I ask them to investigate if the BUET teachers are trained to check these cracks, let alone designing and constructing such a gigantic bridge as Padma Bridge. We should learn how to know our limits.
Moreover, at the time when BD posters were talking about giving the Padma Bridge project to the very famous BUET, the Bridge Dept. of BD is seeking foreign design and construction companies to build four very normal bridges in the Dhaka-Ctg road and in some other places.
Clever deal... the value of transit aid given by Bengali to hindus, can be calculated in $billions.