Bangladesh indebted to China for friendship bridges, eyes more infrastructure projects

Millions of people living in central Bangladesh used to refer to the Dhaleshwari River as the “River of Sorrows” as the waterway made it extremely difficult for people to get to the capital city Dhaka, reports Xinhua.
In the absence of a bridge spanning the river, people were cut off from the capital for centuries, which impacted businesses as well as communities.
But the peoples’ collective headache was finally remedied by China constructing a bridge and linking both banks and, in doing so, making life easier for all concerned.
The 6th China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, as it is known, is situated in the Munshiganj district, about 30 kilometers away from Dhaka and the bridge’s construction was finished eight years ago.
The bridge has meant that there is now a fixed transportation route between Dhaka city and Munshiganj, one of the major areas supplying agricultural products to the capital city.
Local businesses said the vast changes brought on by the bridge have been revolutionary, in terms of both the economic development of the area itself and also the convenience and ease it offers locals both professionally and personally.
Such is the popularity of the bridge, that it has been labeled as one of Bangladesh’s “lifeline structures.”
Construction of the sixth China- Bangladesh Friendship Bridge began in July 2005 and was completed in January 2008, six months ahead of schedule, much to the delight of all involved and all whose lives would be improved by the bridge.
Funding for the sizable project comprised around 26 million U.S. dollars, of which China contributed 17 million U.S. dollars in grants and interest free loans, while Bangladesh picked up the rest of the hefty tab for the bridge, which boasts a span of more than 150 meters and mainly facilitates Dhaka and its adjacent Narayanganj and Munshiganj districts.
Hira Montaz, a member of the Munshiganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua recently that entire economic condition of the region has improved notably as a result of the bridge.
“The business situation as a result of the bridge has improved a lot. And, therefore, albeit indirectly, the entire country also benefits from this bridge,” said Montaz.
According to the leading businessman, it now takes only about one hour to reach Dhaka by bus from Munshiganj thanks to the bridge.
This compares to up to a 2-hour wait for a ferry to cross the river in the past, Montaz added.
“We can never repay the kindness shown to us by the Chinese government. We’re deeply indebted to China for this bridge, which has removed all of our business and communication inconveniences. China is indeed a very close friend,” said Montaz, also a proprietor of Baishaki Banija Bitan, which trades rice.
“We expect more and more Bangladesh-China cooperation in various fields in the future and hope China supports Bangladesh in its efforts to develop infrastructure in future,” he added.
BM Ruhul Amin, a resident of Malrpahtor village, said people can now go anywhere in the country including Dhaka and its adjacent Narayanganj town on the side of the river whenever they choose, thanks to China building the bridge.
“We used to have to spend hours at night to get to the other side of the river by ferry. At night, there used to be a lot of trouble for the patients to get to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment,” he said.
“Some patients have died en route in the past, but this bridge has changed our fate and improved our lifestyle greatly,” he added.
Shah Chand Bhuiyan, another Munshiganj district resident, said that the bridge had definitely made life a lot easier.
“Now that China has built this bridge, it has been very good for us in the Vikrampur area, as this area has now developed a lot of new businesses. Because of this bridge, the entire area has witnessed a huge development.”
He added, “We are very happy to have this bridge. Words can’t express our happiness.”
For bus driver Nurul Kabir, the bridge is simply an indispensable lifeline.
He now conducts multiple trips to and from Dhaka daily and now nets a decent salary for his four-member family.
“I can earn more now as we can operate many trips in the same day.”
Seven friendship bridges have already been completed across Bangladesh owing to Chinese grants, and the eighth is under construction.
The construction of the first Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, with a span of more than 917 meters in length, began in October 1986, and was completed in February 1989.
Bangladeshi Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said China has been contributing greatly to the infrastructural development of Bangladesh.
Describing China as a “trusted friend” and an “important stakeholder in the global economy,” Quader said he hoped for more Chinese assistance in implementing major projects across the country.
Friendship bridges assisted by the Chinese government have greatly improved the infrastructure in Bangladesh and enhanced the country’s economic development, Quader said
Building friendship bridges has surely underscored the ongoing friendship between Bangladesh and China, and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on several occasions has thanked China for its contributions to Bangladesh’s economic development.
Hasina now expects that Bangladesh will be able to reach its desired goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041, with the support from China and other friendly countries.
Although many years have elapsed since the friendship bridges were built, Bangladeshi people still remember with much reverence and fondness the Chinese people and their sound technical knowledge, skills and friendliness.  Enditem