DHAKA, Oct 3, 2021 (BSS)- Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the carpeting work on the main structure of Padma Bridge will begin in the first week of November.

  He said this while addressing a ceremony to hand over lease deeds for allocation of plots to those affected by Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project at rehabilitation sites.

  Noting that Padma Bridge will be opened for vehicular movement by June 2022, Quader said the work progress of main structure of the bridge is now around 95 percent while progress of river training stood at 85.25 percent.

  Overall progress of Padma Bridge construction project is 88 percent, he added.

  Mentioning the slogan - "Sheikh Hasina's Contribution, Padma Bridge Becomes Visible" - the minister said it is no more a slogan only rather it is now a visible reality.

  He said seven rehabilitation sites have been constructed in either end of Padma Bridge. Of total 3011 residential plots of the rehabilitation sites, 2,963 plots have been allotted so far and among the allotted plots, a total of 814 have been allotted among the landless free of cost.

  Of total 100 commercial plots, 81 plots have been allocated while of 120 commercial spaces, 72 spaces have been allotted so far, he said.

  Quader said among registered 823 lease deeds, 20 were handed over to the affected today.

  Every affected individual will get allocation in phases and none will be deprived, he said.

  Bridges Division Secretary Md. Abu Bakr Siddique chaired the function while Munshiganj-2 constituency lawmaker Sagufta Yasmin Emily, Chief Coordinator of ESST (Engg Support & Safety Team) Major General FM Zahid Hossain, Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan and Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam joined it, among others.