Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

IssuesParticipants’ Opinion,Comments and Suggestionssiltation.Response to Questionsand Concernsare implemented.Action PointsAre you aware of anyinformation that is vitalfor the proposed project(economic development,savings in travel time,easy access to socialinfrastructure)? If yes,what are they?The project will bring aboutsubstantialnationaldevelopment.The project will enhanceeconomic development in thearea, minimize travel-timebetween the southern regionand the capital city, ensuresupply of utilities, e.g., gas,water, electricity, andacceleratesocialdevelopment.Enhanced business facilities,spread of educationalfacilities, marketing of localagricultural produces tonearby towns.The Project will enhanceeconomic developmentin the area throughindustrial growth,tourism, agricultural, andcommercial developmentand consequentemployment generation,savings in travel time inbetween Dhaka andsouthern region andeasy access to socialinfrastructure. Theproject will also enhancespread of educationalfacilities.Employmentopportunitiesespecially for thePAPs during andafter constructionare considered inthe EMP andIncome andLivelihoodRestorationProgram (ILRP)under SAP.Have you any concernabout the effect ofconstruction on watercourses, fish migration,plants, healthand safety, wildlifehabitats, air, dust, noiseand vibration?Construction phase of thebridge might damage localroads due to transportation ofconstruction materials, causenoise, air and dust pollution,and damage the trees in thesurrounding areas. A numberof tree species will be lost.Air and noise pollution fromproject will result in enhancedpressure on hospitals.Contractors will beinstructed to transportconstruction materials ina manner as to minimizedamage to local roads.Transporting bulkquantities of materialsare encouraged throughwater transport. Aninventory of area specificvegetation and rarespecies are beingprepared. EMP willprovide for regenerationof the vegetation proneto destruction due to theproject activities andconservation of the rarespecies.Mitigationmeasuresagainstdamagingofroads, minimizingair and noisepollutions, treeplantations,restriction ofpiling in the deepchannel formigration ofHilsa, protectedsanctuary etc.are considered inthe EMP.There will be adverse impactupon the availability of Hilsaand other fish varieties.Appropriate measures shouldbe taken toward developmentof fish resources of the river(e.g., creating a fishpreservation area at around2km from the area adjacent tothe bridge).Piling in all deepchannels will berestricted during fishmigration season toavoid hindrance orblockage of fishmigration and spawning.Padma ProtectedSanctuary is proposed tocompensate habitat loss.Are there other criteriayou would like to seeconsidered duringdesign, construction andoperation stages of theproject (access road,bridge or culverts,Many Participants expressedthat Health centres, tourismfacilities, haats/baazars,stadiums, etc., need to beconstructed.The area will be benefited withThe project, whencompleted, will provideprotected sanctuary,eco-tourism, resorts,visitor center, etc.Resorts, ecotourism,protectedsanctuary, visitorcenters etc. areconsidered in the10-30