The Padma Multipurpose Bridge's river management costs have grown even more. This time, the government has granted a rise of Tk 249 crore, 42 lakh, 52 thousand 349. The cost of river management at Padma Bridge has risen to Tk 9 thousand 834 crore, 77 lakh 45 thousand 349.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement meeting held at the Secretariat on Thursday (June 29) approved the proposal for a fresh increase in expenditure. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali presided over it.

Coordination and Reform Secretary of the Cabinet Department Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan told reporters after the meeting that the government has approved the price increase proposal due to the claim of extension of time for the river management work of the Padma multi-purpose bridge construction project.

A new expenditure of Tk 249 crores 42 lakhs 52 thousand 349 has been increased. The original contract price is Tk 8 thousand 707 crore 81 lakh 41 thousand 446. After that, in the first phase, the expenditure was increased by Tk 877 crore 53 lakh 51 thousand 553. In this, including VAT and taxes, the cost of river management of Padma Bridge has increased to Tk 9 thousand 585 crore 34 lakh 93 thousand. Now, in the second phase, the cost of river management of Padma Bridge has been increased by Tk 249 crores 42 lakhs 52 thousand 349. The total expenditure increased to Tk 9 thousand 834 crores 77 lakh 45 thousand 349. Which is 12.94 percent more than the original contract. The river management of the Padma multi-purpose bridge construction project is being done by the Chinese contractor Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

The Secretary said that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. The project expires on June 30. Sinohydro Corporation of China is doing the work of river management. Their completion date was June 30 last year. Defect liability period is one year. That means it will end tomorrow for them.