DHAKA: Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain Thursday said the government is planning to build a separate rail-bridge for reducing pressure on the Bangabandhu Bridge, which recently developed cracks.

Another bridge over the Jamuna would be built at Fuljhuri-Bahadurabad ghat point, he said.

“A project has been taken in hand in this regard,” the minister said at a press briefing at his office in the Secretariat, a day after the government cancelled repair contract with a controversial firm.

Regarding the appointment of the blacklisted company, he said famous organizations are not interested in this work so the tender was not submitted from the big-name construction firms.   

He also informed that a technical committee comprising experts has been formed for identifying cause of the clefts in the big bridge over the mighty river, Jamuna.

Tender was called for repairing the bridge as per their proposal, he added.   

They proposed the name of three organizations and among those China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) was recommended for the works as the lowest bidder.

He said the communications ministry didn’t finalize the matter rather it was sent to the purchase committee to finalize.

The minister also informed that the government will build 50 more bridges on different rivers for expanding communications network.

BDST: 1902 HRS, SEPT 16, 2010