PIROJPUR, Sept 22, 2023 (BSS) - The Bangamata Begum Sheikh Fazilatunnesa
Mujib eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, built on the Kacha River at
Bekutia in Pirojpur on the Barisal-Khulna Regional Highway, is an important
bridge in the southern region as it plays vital role for boosting the country's
economy.

On September 4, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the much-
desired "Bangamata Begum Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China
Friendship Bridge" through a virtual platform from her office in the capital.

The construction of the 1,493-metre long and 13.40-metre wide bridge has
materialized the dream of millions of people of the country's south-western
region, establishing uninterrupted road connectivity between Khulna
Division and Barishal Division.

Project manager of this bridge Masud Mahmud Sujan said the bridge was built
by China Rail Watch 17 Bureau Group Company Limited under the supervision of
Chinese Major Bridge Reconnaissance and Design Institute Company Limited.

A 220-metre long and 55-metre wide recreation area has been developed on the
river bank at the eastern end of the bridge, a 60-metre long and 5-metre wide
bituminous road adjacent to the approach road at the eastern end, a 60-metre
long and 5-metre wide concrete road under the approach road and a 120-metre
long and 3.50-metre wide concrete road have been constructed at the end of
western part, he said.

Since its inauguration, the bridge has been playing an important role in
communication, transportation and development of the country as well as  
a tourist attraction.

The construction of the bridge started on November 1 in 2018. The
Roads and Highways Department constructed the bridge at a cost of Taka 894.08
crore.

The Chinese government provided Taka 654.80 crore as project assistance for
the bridge while Bangladesh government shared Taka 239.80 crore, Masud Mahmud
Sujan said.

The bridge also established the road connectivity between Pirojpur and Dhaka.
It also helped to establish the direct road connectivity among Kuakata Sea
beach, Payra deep sea port, Mongla sea port and the country's largest land
port Benapole. Thousands of vehicles are crossing the bridge everyday by
paying toll.

Golam Mawla Nakeb, vice-president of the Pirojpur Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for constructing the bridge
here saying: "A new horizon has been opened in the economic development of
the region through building the bridge."
 
"Due to the establishment of direct road connection with the country's second
largest beach-- Sagarkanya Kuakata-- and one of the world's largest mangrove forest
the Sundarbans, this region is becoming bustling with tourists from home and
abroad and its heart is Pirojpur," he added.

There is no obstacle in the road connection between the divisional city
Barishal and the industrial city Khulna. Direct road connectivity to the
country's second sea port Mongla and the largest land port Benapole has been
established with the deep sea port Payra and the people of this area have
benefited unprecedentedly in terms of communication and transportation of
goods in the last one year.
 
Valiant freedom fighter M A Rabbani Feroze of the area said
economic activities are expanding after the Padma and Bangamata
Bridges were built in the south-western part of the country.

Direct road connectivity has been established between Sheikh Hasina
Cantonment of Patuakhali and Jashore Cantonment through the bridge, he added.