Installation of 32nd span of Padma Bridge suspended due to strong current

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Installation of the 32nd span of the Padma Bridge, across the middle of the Shimulia-Kathalbari river channel, was suspended on Saturday amid the difficulties in anchoring the floating crane and positioning the span properly due to strong current in the river Padma.

The 150-meter long span was set be installed on the 4th and 5th piers of the bridge at Mawa point, the Padma Bridge authorities said.

Earlier, the 31st span of the bridge was installed on June 10 last. After long four months, the 32nd span was set to be installed today (Saturday). The floating crane “Tian-e’ sailed from the steel jetty of the construction yard situated at Mawa under Louhajang upazila in Munshiganj district early Saturday afternoon with the 32nd span.

Padma Bridge project’s executive engineer, Dewan Md Abdul Quader, all the spans were scheduled to be installed in the first week of October. But, the intensity of current in the river Padma has suddenly increased more than six meters due to rise of water level in the river during the monsoon. As a result, it has become very difficult to anchor the floating crane due to strong current in the river.

However, the engineers are expecting that they would be able to install all the spans by December next.

A total of 41 spans will be installed on 42 concrete pillars to complete the bridge.

The first span of the Padma Bridge was installed on September 30, 2017.