DHAKA: The government has proposed an allocation of Tk 8,100 crore for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge with a view to constructing the bridge with the own fund.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith made the proposal while placing budget for the 2014-14 fiscal year in the parliament on Thursday afternoon.

The treaty would be signed in this month and the construction works would be completed within 2018, he told the House.

Among the cost of the project, Tk 6,500 crore would be paid in Bangladeshi money and the rest from aid.

In the previous budget, the government allocated a special allocation of Tk 6,852 crore.

Muhith said, once completed, this will induce a growth to the tune of 1.2 percent of GDP per year.

He said, “We have decided to construct the Padma Bridge with our own resources and have already completed some preliminary work.”

It will create a direct road link between 19 districts of south-west region and Dhaka along with northern region of Bangladesh, he added. 

The government has allocated Tk 23,136 crore in the proposed budget for the development of the country’s communications sector.

** JS session adjourned till Sunday 

BDST: 2100 HRS, JUN 5, 2014