A revolutionary boost to tourism is among the various prospects expected to be ushered in following completion of the Padma Bridge.

The tourism industry is expected to witness a flourishment on both sides of the Bridge.

Apart from advantages of industry-trade, housing, fisheries, agro-economy, the chars (shoals) that have sprung up on the banks of the Padma have ample opportunity to become planned tourist spots like the Maldives. Apart from that, there is a possibility of hotels, motels, parks and recreation centers being built on both sides of the river.

Entrepreneurs in the tourism sector have already started buying land on both sides of the Padma in view of this possibility. Apart from that, the government has also made various plans for the development of the tourism industry centring the Padma. This will create huge employment opportunities in the coming day.

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) director Mohammed Shahed Ullah while talking to Bangladesh Post said, “Usually people went to Mawa Ghat to visit the Padma banks and taste Hilsa fish, but as now the communication is developing there, and visitors are now very much interested in day tours, it is certainly creating a big opportunity for the tourism sector”.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the country's economic growth will double in one leap once the construction of the Padma Bridge is completed. The future tourism industry surrounding the Padma Bridge will make an important contribution to the GDP. New momentum will be transmitted as huge investment is expected in the sector.

Economists think that it is necessary to proceed with a proper plan to tap the immense potential of the tourism industry on both sides of the Padma Bridge.  

Centre for Policy Dialogue Research Director, Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem said, “The Padma Bridge will be a boon for the country's economy in the future. It will develop all sectors of the economy. The tourism industry in particular has immense potential around the Padma Bridge. But to make use of this potential, the right planning is needed, because many possibilities die due to lack of proper planning.

The government needs to take proper steps to get the highest feedback of the Padma Bridge-centric tourism potential”.

Talking to the local people on both sides, this correspondent learned that Cultural State Minister, KM Khalid visited the site a few months ago to set up a cultural university at Shibchar in Madaripur. The feasibility of land for setting up an airport there has been conducted.

Apart from that, there are plans to set up a textile engineering college, hi-tech park and a children's park in the area. Besides, there are plans to set up a regional office of the Shilpakala Academy, an open stage, a world-class Olympic Village and a zoo.

A resident of Shibchar, Iqbal Hossain said, “We now consider the Padma Bridge a great blessing in our lives as a lot of development work is going on around this bridge. Senior government and non-government officials visit these areas every day.

Many entrepreneurs have already bought hundreds of bighas of land. There will be big hotels and motels, parks and tourist spots. As a result, educated and semi-educated unemployed youth will be employed in our area. Our way of life will change”.

Meanwhile, the government is also setting up a Padma Bridge Animal Museum in the Dogachhi Service Area of the Padma Bridge. The authority concerned is very much optimistic to enrich the museum.

Initiatives have been taken to save 5,000 animal specimens in the museum. It is also expected to open to the public soon.