<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The repayment of the loan taken for construction of Padma Bridge started with Tk 316.91 crore paid to the government in the first two installments on Wednesday.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a cheque of Tk 316,90,97,049 as the first and second installments of the loan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader handed over the cheque to the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On June 25, 2022, the prime minister opened the country’s largest bridge – 6.15-km Padma Bridge- over the mighty Padma River.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 6.15-km bridge connected directly the country’s 21 south and south-western districts with the capital, and it is expected to accelerate the GDP growth by 1.23 per cent and make an outstanding contribution to socio-economic development by alleviating poverty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The total allocation was Tk 30,193.39 crore, but the allocation for the main bridge was Tk 12,133.39 crore (including Tk 1,000 crore for installation of 400-kv electricity transmission line and gas line).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides, the Tk 9,400 crore was allocated for river training works, Tk 1,907.68 crore for approach roads (including two toll plazas, construction of two buildings for police stations and three service areas), Tk 1,515 crore for the rehabilitation of the displaced people (caused by the project) and Tk 2698.73 crore for land acquisition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Padma Bridge is expected to last more than 100 years, but its construction cost will be recovered in the next 35 years. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>