The recent bus accident at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal, where a Souhardyo Paribahan bus plunged into the river while boarding a ferry, has reignited debate over the long-delayed plan to build a second Padma Bridge.
Many believe the accident underscores the risks of relying on ferry crossings and highlights the urgent need for a permanent bridge at the Paturia-Daulatdia route.
The project, once included in the unapproved list of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) during the Awami League government’s tenure, was later dropped from the current fiscal year. However, officials say fresh efforts are underway to bring it back into the new ADP as part of broader infrastructure priorities.
Officials at the Bridges Division said the government is now keen to move forward.
Joint Secretary (Development) Mahmud Ibne Kasem said a new feasibility study will determine the bridge’s location, length and cost before construction begins.
Earlier estimates by the Planning Ministry placed the project cost at around Tk 12,750 crore, though this is expected to rise after reassessment.
According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, commuters from districts such as Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Magura, Rajbari and Faridpur currently face long delays at ferry terminals due to heavy vehicle pressure.
While the distance from Dhaka to Kushtia via Paturia-Daulatdia is about 175 km, travel time can stretch to six or seven hours because of congestion and waiting times. Alternative routes via the Jamuna Bridge extend the journey to around 270 km.
If built, the second Padma Bridge – expected to span about 4.9 kilometres between Paturia and Goalanda – would significantly reduce travel time and ease pressure on ferry services. It would also strengthen connectivity with key economic hubs, including the Benapole and Darshana land ports and the Mongla seaport. Officials say the bridge will include a rail link, further enhancing the country’s transport network, with a tentative completion target of 2032.
Planning Commission officials said they are ready to fast-track approval once a formal proposal is submitted.
Additional Secretary Md Ashrafuzzaman noted that the approval process would begin immediately after receiving the project documents. Meanwhile, the Economic Relations Division is preparing to seek foreign financing once the Development Project Proposal (DPP) is finalised.
The idea of a second Padma Bridge dates back decades. A pre-feasibility study conducted between 1999 and 2003 identified two likely routes – Mawa-Jajira and Paturia-Daulatdia. While the first has already been realised, attention is now turning to the second.
The renewed push also aligns with broader government plans to expand the country’s transport network, including building a second bridge over the Jamuna River and developing a Dhaka-Chattogram expressway to meet growing demand.
For many, the latest tragedy has turned a long-discussed project into an urgent necessity – one that could redefine connectivity across central and southwestern Bangladesh while reducing the risks associated with ferry travel.