Consultant for Padma Bridge
It is a commonly held view in our country that the international development financing agencies are keepers of superior knowledge and technology. With due deference to them, I would like to express my deep concern on the river training works that have been proposed by the ADB recommended consultant for the Padma Bridge. It is rumoured that the proposed works consist basically of dumping sand filled bags. Well, this and many others innovative models have been tried and tested by international experts in the Jamuna-Padma River under different donor-funded projects. All these innovations have failed to stand up to the mighty river. If the rumour has any substance, the proposed river training works and the risk of its failure would put the bridge and associated facilities in danger thus jeopardizing a huge investment. With less robust river training the initial investment will no doubt be less but the whole-life cost would be high, not to mention the huge burden of recurring capital maintenance. Who will fund and manage this huge undertaking year after year after the completion of the bridge?
The river training works have evolved over a hundred years in this sub-continent. The national Panel of Experts who are assisting the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) with technical matters are eminently qualified to advise BBA. But will their opinion hold any sway with ADB? Or is this an example where "superior" knowledge of development partners prevails over national experts? We all eagerly await an early construction of the Padma Bridge but it is important that the project is technically and economically sound. Common sense suggests that the river training works ought to be constructed in accordance with tried and tested methods.
The BBA should in the national interest challenge ADB's selection of the consultant.
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