After the Padma Bridge, the largest infrastructure under construction in Bangladesh, the Payara Bridge at Lebukhali is also visible.
Around the Padma and Payara bridges, many small and big industrial-mills-factories including hotels and motels are being set up in Barishal and the entire southern region. Once the traffic movement on the two bridges starts, the communication system of various departments including the capital Dhaka with the south will be radically changed. Besides, business relations will be developed.
Tourist gatherings will increase in the tourist centers here. It is hoped that this will open the door to the fortune of the people of the south.
According to the Tourism Corporation and local administration sources, there is huge potential in the tourism industry across the Barishal division. Particularly Kuakata of Patuakhali, Payara seaport and its adjoining areas including Gangamati, Kawarchar, Barishal.
It is learned that on March 19, 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the bridge over the Payara River in Lebukhali area of Barishal district. After that, the duration of the project was extended till June 30, 2022. But before that, the authorities are working day and night to complete the bridge in mid-September this year. Although 95 percent of the work on the main bridge has been completed, last-minute beautification work is now underway.
Locals and traders say the south has always been neglected. As soon as the Padma Bridge will become fully operational, trade and commerce will expand in the south. And along with the development of the tourism sector, new doors of possibilities will be opened.
Barisal District Awami League General Secretary and former Member of Parliament Bir Muktijoddha Advocate Yusnus Talukder told Barta24.com that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamed of building the Padma Bridge. And it is being implemented by his worthy daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He added that the construction of the dream Padma and Payara Bridge will change the socio-economic condition and livelihood of the south-west. The south is lagging behind in terms of investment and trade. The Padma and Payara bridges will create huge opportunities for the economic prosperity of this region.
Subhash Chandra Nandi, manager of Kuakata Tourism Corporation, told Barta24.com that modern standard hotels, motels and industrial establishments are being set up at different tourist areas including Payara Seaport, Gangamati, Kawarchar and Kuakata.
With the opening of Padma and Payara bridges, tourists from home and abroad will be able to visit the tourist areas here in a short time. Especially Kuakata and Payra seaports will attract more tourists. In addition, if the rail connection is introduced, the communication system here will also change. This will reduce the unemployment rate in the south as well as make the traders here self-sufficient.
Mohammad Abdul Halim, director of the Payara Bridge Construction Project, said the Four lane Payara Bridge is being built over the Payara River in Lebukhali with the aim of introducing ferry-free road connectivity to Kuakata Beach and Payara Seaport. He said the bridge would be opened to traffic in mid-September this year ahead of schedule.
He added that 95 percent of the work on the main Payara Bridge has been completed. A total of 1268 meters of approach road, toll plaza, administrative building, electrification and other ancillary works have been completed on both sides of the river. Last minute beauty enhancement work is going on now. With the opening of the Payara bridge, a ferry-free road link will be introduced to the southernmost of the country, Kuakata which will be a new milestone of the current government.
Barisal Divisional Commissioner Saiful Hasan Badal told Barta24.com that if vehicles are fully introduced on the Padma and Payara bridges of dreams, the communication system of other divisions including the capital Dhaka with the entire southern region will be radically changed. At the same time, trade relations of the southern region will be established with these regions. Besides, mills and factories will be established in the whole southern region including the sea port of Payra. This will increase the investment of the backward people in the south helping create employment.