Bridging the infrastructure gap

Bangladesh eyes development after success of transport project

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Millions of people living in central Bangladesh used to refer to the Dhaleshwari River as the “River of Sorrows” as the waterway made it extremely difficult for people to get to the capital city Dhaka.

In the absence of a bridge, people were cut off from the capital for centuries, which impacted businesses as well as communities.

However, the problem was solved after China stepped in and helped in the construction of the 6th China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, as it is known, which is situated in the Munshiganj district, about 30 kilometers from Dhaka.

The bridge has meant that there is now a fixed transportation route between Dhaka and Munshiganj, one of the major areas supplying agricultural products to the capital.

Local businesses said the vast changes to the area have been revolutionary, in terms of both economic development and also the convenience and ease it offers locals both professionally and personally.

Such is the popularity of the bridge that it has been labeled as one of Bangladesh’s “lifeline structures”.

Construction of the bridge began in July 2005 and was completed in January 2008, six months ahead of schedule.

Funding for the project comprised around $26 million, of which China contributed $17 million in grants and interest-free loans, while Bangladesh picked up the rest of the tab.

Hira Montaz, a member of the Munshiganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said economic conditions in the region have improved notably.

“The business situation as a result of the bridge has improved a lot. And, therefore, albeit indirectly, the entire country also benefits from this bridge,” said Montaz.

More cooperation

According to him, it now takes only about one hour to reach Dhaka by bus from Munshiganj thanks to the bridge. This compares to up to a two-hour wait for a ferry to cross the river in the past.

“We’re deeply indebted to China for this bridge, which has removed all of our business and communication inconveniences. China is indeed a very close friend,” said Montaz, also a proprietor of Baishaki Banija Bitan, which trades rice.

“We expect more and more Bangladesh-China cooperation in various fields in the future and hope China supports Bangladesh in its efforts to develop infrastructure in future,” he added.

BM Ruhul Amin, a resident of Malrpahtor village, said in the past people would have to spend hours at night to get to the other side of the river by ferry, even those who required hospital treatment.

“Some patients have died en route in the past, but this bridge has changed our fate and improved our lifestyle greatly,” he said.

For bus driver Nurul Kabir, the bridge is an indispensable lifeline. He conducts multiple trips to and from Dhaka each day and now nets a decent salary for his family.

“I can earn more now as we can operate many trips in the same day,” he said.

Seven bridges have been completed across Bangladesh using Chinese grants and an eighth is under construction.

Building the bridges has underscored the friendship between the countries and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expects that her nation will reach its goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.