BANGI-ADESH the largest delta In the world is crl-ss < rossed by three major rivers - the Brahmaputra the Jamuna and Meghna and thus parts of ihe land are cut off from one another by major water bodies Building of bridges to establish a smooth network of road communication facilitating vehicular traffic flow has always bryn a dominant feature In the country s development agenda

1994 saw some major bridge building works and also the start up of several new projects small and big. the most formidable being the commencement of the works of the Jamuna Bridge, which would connect the eastern and western regions of the country

Tie most significant bridge project that was successfully completed was Meghna-Gumli bridge In November The 1 41 km bridge over the Meghna

Gumu rivers is by tar the longest bridge constructed and has enabled commercial and private traffic to commute be tween the port city of Chittagong and capital Dhaka covering a distance of 257 km uninterrupted by ferries In a matter of four to five hours

After the completion of the Meghna Gumtl bridge, normal dally traffic which was estimated to be around 4500 Vehicles. In fact crossed 5000 range in number reflecting the Importance of this vital communication artery

Construction of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge whose foundation was laid on April 10 commenced on October 16 with the Initial river training works

The 600 million dollar bridge being funded by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Japanese government will also

include local funding. Public contribution for the Jamuna Bridge will also be substantial as a huge Amount of money had been collected earlier through the Jamuna Bridge Levy imposed on different utility bills

The 4.8 km tong and 18.5 m wide four-lane bridge will be erected on 27 spans and will have mo vision for metre gauge railtrack. power, gas and telecommunications lines.

A bridge over the Rupsha river in Khulna is expected to be undertaken shortly with Chinese assistance.

The foundation stone of the second Buriganga bridge was also laid this year at Batxibaxar to facilitate communication with Dhaka and neighbouring Keraniganj area just across the river.

Foreign assistance to the bridge building sector has been forthcoming from the Japanese. Chinese and British under the ODA programmes.