Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

2.7 Relevant Associated Components54. Figure 2-1 shows the associated components to the Project. These associated components are not inthe present scope of the Project but will need to be considered as essential activities. Each of theseassociated components is described below.2.7.1 Widening of Dhaka-Mawa Highway (N8)55. International Route Asian Highway-1 that will connect Tamabil, Sylhet, Sarail, Kanchpur, Dhaka,Mawa, Bhatiapara, Narail, Jessore and Benapole in Bangladesh will require access through the PadmaBridge. As per traffic forecast for the year of 2014 and RHD road master plan, the existing 38km long 2-lanehighway from Dhaka to Mawa will require to be widened to 4-lane. Thus, there is an urgent need to takeinitiatives for widening of this road to avoid the foreseen traffic congestion on the highway. The problemsforeseen in widening to four lanes is that the new developments have been observed in the right-of-way inselected locations. Roadside plantation is extensive. Therefore, widening in one side (west side of theexisting road) is recommended to avoid cutting of huge quantities of trees.2.7.2 Bypass Road in Group B of Rajuk56. The Group-B area part of Group-D is covered by 27.16 km roads. Out of the total roads 34.11 percentare kutcha and 10.18 percent semi-pacca. Dhaka-Mawa Highway covers a small part of the area. The onlyroad within the area is Tegharia road which will connect Munshiganj with a bridge over Dhaleshwari River.This is almost a circular road which starts from Dhaka-Mawa Road and again meets the Dhaka-Mawa Roadnear the foot of Friendship Bridge no.1 covering Bibirbazar, Jajira and Konda in the southern part of thearea. This has a crest width of about 9.14m (30ft) and right of way varies from 15.24m (50ft) to 21.3m (70ft).The parts of the circular road have been constructed by mainly joining the gaps and will serve the whole ofthe Group B and D area of Rajuk when the construction of the last portion of the gap will be completed. Thiscircular road will help in diverting the through traffic bypassing Dhaka city. Thus there is an urgent need tocomplete the missing links accommodating additional traffic when the Padma Bridge will be operational.2.7.3 Railway Network Development57. The railway on the bridge will be from the beginning of its operation. In order to take the full benefits ofthe Padma Bridge, Bangladesh Railway requires undertaking urgent initiatives for constructing 30km longrailway line from Gendaria-Mawa to connect Padma Bridge and then 90km long railway line from the PadmaBridge to Bhanga-Kashiani-Narail-Jessore. Then this railway connection will work as integral part of theproposed Trans-Asian railway network.2.7.4 Gas Main Network Development58. Government has planned to construct a 60km long High Pressure Gasmain of 30in (0.762m) diameterfrom Bakhrabad Gas Field to Siddirganj to augment gas supply to Power Stations in and around Siddirganjarea and to Metropolitan Dhaka. The wall thickness of the pipe will be 15.9mm, and maximum allowableoperating pressure (MAOP) of 1,135 psig. A 30in diameter off-take valve will be constructed at Langalbandhof Sonargaon upazila under Narayanganj district. This off-take valve will be the source point for gas supplyto Mawa through a 30km long High Pressure Gasmain of 30in diameter, which will cross the PadmaMultipurpose Bridge and extend up to Khulna (158km) for completing the proposed National Gas Grid.2.7.5 High Voltage Power Transmission Network Development59. The closest power grid available for 400kV high voltage power transmission at Mawa side is inSiddirganj under Narayanganj district and at Janjira side is in Khulna. The distance of transmission line fromSiddirganj to Mawa is about 46km and from Janjira-Gopalganj to Khulna is 158km.2.7.6 Telecommunication Network Development60. Develop the missing link of the telecommunication network in both sides of the river.2-25