DHAKA: Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said the construction work of the much-awaited Padma Bridge would begin in January next.

“But it depends on loan agreement with the World Bank,” the minister told reporters at the Secretariat Thursday.

“A loan accord is expected to be signed with ADB, IDB and JICA in December this year. But the time of signing the deal with the World Bank is yet to be fixed,” he said.

He said a delegation led by finance minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith will visit the WB headquarters in Washington next month to expedite the funding agreement.

Replying to a query, Abul Hossain said design, land acquisition and feasibility study for bridge construction have already been carried out, before signing the deal with the donors.

When asked, the minister said the total cost of bridge construction could be estimated after floating tenders.

But the donor organisations will provide 1.5 billion US dollar for funding the bridge, he added.

BDST: 1540 HRS, SEP 9, 2010