Abstract:
This study describes the impact of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge in creating
regional connectivity and mobility in traffic movement, thus contributing to the
socioeconomic development of Bangladesh. It finds that the travel time between
the Dhaka division and the southwestern region will be saved by about two
hours for cars and buses and by over 10 hours for trucks due to new
connectivity through the bridge. It will reduce the distance from Mongla Port to
Dhaka by more than 100 km to 170 km and save a lot of working hours, which
will further accelerate the growth of the country’s economy. Additionally, a total
of 212.05 km of the new railway line is being constructed for the Padma
Multipurpose Bridge, which will connect Dhaka with the country’s largest land
port, Jessore. After the Padma Bridge Rail Link project is done, the travel time
from Dhaka to Kolkata via Jessore will be cut in half, and it will take only 3 to 4
hours. Moreover, the bridge will also pave the way for putting in place a new
route for the Trans-Asian Railway network. The Padma Multipurpose Bridge is
estimated to boost the country’s annual GDP by 1.23 percent and the
southwestern region’s GDP by 2.5 percent. Moreover, the Padma Multipurpose
Bridge will reduce the poverty rate by 1.01 percent at the regional level and by
0.84 percent at the national level. This study finds that to take full advantage of
the newly constructed bridge, the southern part of the outer ring road of Dhaka
proposed in RSTP should be completed soon. Padma Multipurpose Bridge will
work as a key component of Asian Highway-1, boosting economic growth in
Asia and improving the country's standing on the continent.
