Bangladesh
Padma Bridge: Know Its Amazing Facts, Engineering Wonders
Bangladesh undertook the Padma Bridge construction project a decade ago with the dream of connecting the people of Southern Bangladesh with the capital Dhaka to speed up the economy. And the dream comes true as the bridge on mighty river Padma was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 25, 2022, expecting to fulfill the dreams of many people in Bangladesh. However, building such a big bridge with self-finance was not easy. But Bangladesh has surprised the whole world. With the inauguration of the Padma multipurpose bridge, one-third of Bangladesh has become connected to Dhaka by road.
From the length of the Bridge to the number of pillars, many facts make the bridge comparable to a wonder. Let’s get to know some facts about Padma Bridge.
Amazing Facts About Padma Bridge
Build On a Continuous Stream of Water
According to statistics, 1.40 lakh cubic meters of water can go to the sea every second through the Padma. The amount of water that flows into the sea through the Padma is the second highest in the world after the Amazon River. This continuous stream of water will pass under the Padma Bridge. So the system should be kept in such a way that the water can flow under the bridge without any interruption and go to the Bay of Bengal.
Read: Padma Bridge to transform Bagerhat’s tourism industry
If the water gets trapped in any way, it will flood upstream (west-north side of the river), and at the same time, this water will put a lot of pressure on the bridge. As a result, bridge failure can occur. Padma Bridge has been built keeping these things in mind.
Long Piles
The height of Padma bridge piles is 120-128 meters. That is, each pile is equal to a 40-story building. This is because, during the monsoon, when there is excess flow, the Padma River may scour 65 meters of soil, that means 65 meters of soil is washed away from the bottom of the river. No river in the world has the capacity to wash away so much soil.
Hence, the piles of the Padma Bridge are so large to resist the sediment transport of the Padma during monsoons. In the history of bridge construction, the foundation of a bridge has never been built at such a depth anywhere in the world.
Read Padma Bridge symbol of new Bangladesh: FM tells his Portuguese counterpart
Germany Made Special Crane and Hammer
Installing 120-128-meter-high piles is not a piece of cake. In the world, there is no such high pile placement machine. So special cranes and hammers were made from Germany only for the Padma Bridge.
Can Survive Heavy Earthquake
Another record of Padma Bridge is its ability to withstand earthquakes. The Padma Bridge can withstand an earthquake of 9 on the Richter scale without any complications.
Heavy Bearing
Each bearing between the span and pier of Padma Bridge has a weight of about 10,500 metric tons. No other bridge in the world has ever used such heavy bearings. The technology used here is base isolation, in which the foundation will move during an earthquake, but the bridge above will not move.
Read Shariatpur poultry farmers' dreams now stretch beyond Padma Bridge
There will be a system of movement. This is called a pendulum bearing, which will help to slide the span and help to back again in place. It is used in many places in the world. However, it has never been used in such a large project. Due to this technology, the number of piles and size of pile caps is reduced to some extent.
Vertical Bored Concrete Pile
The piles below the two piers are slightly different, which are vertical bored concrete piles that are up to 80 meters deep. It means that these piles are not inclined but straight underwater. These are concrete piles, like the common columns of our houses. These piles are cast into the water, which means pouring concrete into the water. But the concrete does not float and becomes a column.
River Training
Another very important function of the Padma Bridge was river training, which was very challenging. There are very few companies in the world that can do this job. Sinohydro, the Chinese state-owned company, got this tender in July 2014.
Read Padma Bridge: Tk 4.19 crore toll collection breaks 24-hr record
Alongside Padma bridge construction, the River dredging was started. Dredging is the removal of silt from the bottom so that there is less obstruction in the flow of water. So that more amount (higher volume of water) can go. It was expected that the pressure of water on the edge would be reduced a little. Dredging 10 million cubic meters at Mawa end. And 40 million cubic meters of dredging at the Jazira end.
Another part of river training was placing stones, concrete blocks, and geo bags on the banks of the river. 8.5 lakh tons of stone were used at the Mawa end, and 30 lakh tons of stone were thrown at the Jazira end. 3,907,500 geo bags weighing 800 kg and 17,267,500 geo bags weighing 125 kg were dropped. A total of cement concrete blocks was 13,301,248.
Due to the Padma Bridge, a 14 km area has come under river training. It is rare to find such a large area taken control for river training.
Read Padma Bridge a symbol of pride for developing world: Hun Sen
Exclusive Engineering Technologies Applied in Padma Bridge Rail Line
The train will pass through the steel structure. The rail line is dual gauge. Therefore, the broad gauge and meter gauge, both types of trains, can cross the Padma Bridge. There will be emergency arrangements so that people can be alighted from the train and taken to a safe place in case of any kind of trouble on the train.
Again, this is not an ordinary railway line. It has provision for double-decker containers to carry goods. Railways in Bangladesh usually take one container. But it is being done here so that in future trains can go with one container on top of another.
It is the first ballastless rail track and is made with RCC instead of stone. The rail track is placed on a truss structure (the V-shaped steel structure).
Read Parjatan's Padma Bridge package tour launched
Final Words
Padma Bridge is a symbol of political status, self-reliance, courage, determination, ability, and confidence. The construction of this Padma bridge is an ‘engineering wonder' in front of the whole world, an example of overcoming engineering challenges.
Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi passes away in NY
Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah has passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in New York. He was 76.
The valiant freedom fighter fought against the Pakistan Army in Sector 11 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
Fazle Rabbi, a seven times lawmaker from Gaibandha-5, is survived by his three daughters. His wife Anwara Rabbi passed away in May 2020.
Nazmul Hasan, acting Consul General at the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York, quoting Deputy Speaker's APS, told UNB that advocate Fazle Rabbi breathed his last on July 22 at 3.55pm (NY Time) at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York.
"We are in touch with his family members and relatives in New York," he said, adding that necessary formalities needed to be done to repatriate his remains.
Nazmul said they are expecting all documents to be ready by noon tomorrow and to get a flight in the evening.
He was a reputed organizer and contributed much in creating public opinion in favor of the Liberation War abroad.
Fazle Rabbi was Chairperson of Bangladesh Association for Voluntary Sterilization (BAVS), Gaibandha from 1980 to 81.
He founded a good number of schools, colleges and madrasas in his own constituency.
A reputed organiser who contributed much in creating public opinion in favour of the Liberation War abroad, Fazle Rabbi was born on April 16 in 1946 and was the founding Secretary of Gaibandha Law College from 1979 to 1986.
He was also an elected Secretary of the Gaibandha Bar from 1978-79.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Fazle Rabbi.
Also read: Hasina mourns Fazle Rabbi's demise
In his condolence message, the President said the nation will remember late Fazle Rabbi's skills and experience in running Parliament and his contribution to the practice and development of parliamentary democracy with respect.
The President also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
In her condolence message, PM Hasina said Fazle Rabbi was involved in anti-Ayub movement and 1962's anti-education commission movement from student life. And during the Liberation War, he fought in Sector 11.
"He will be remembered for his outstanding role in parliamentary democracy," the PM said.
Hasina prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushon Ershad also expressed deep shock at the death of Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah.
In her condolence message, she said, “Rabbi, an advocate by profession, was active in politics and he worked for the country... People of the country will remember his contribution in the Liberation War and parliamentary democracy forever.”
“His death is an irreparable loss in the political arena which will not be healed soon,” she added.
Raushon also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Cabinet members including Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi also expressed profound shock at the death of the Deputy Speaker.
In a condolence message on Saturday, the Foreign Minister said advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah worked for the welfare of the people throughout his life as a patriot and dedicated politician.
As a highly skilled and experienced parliamentarian, the nation will forever remember the contribution he made to the practice of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh, Momen said.
The Foreign Minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Md. Jashim Uddin has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Deputy Speaker and freedom fighter advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah.
In a condolence message, the FBCCI President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Miracle: Teen wife survives under train after getting stuck on rail track
A housewife got back her life after a commuter train went over her in Akhaura Bypass area of Brahmanbaria on Friday evening.
A video clip containing the incident went viral on social media instantly.
The teenager was identified as Liza Akhter, 19, wife of Junayed Gazi of Bypass area in Akhaura upazila of the district.
Eyewitness Md Amzad Bhuiyan, who captured the video, said three people including Liza and her husband were walking on Titas Bridge and taking pictures of themselves, when a train came speeding.
Though Liza’s husband and another woman managed to get out of the way, Liza’s legs got trapped in the rail track as the Noakhali-bound ‘’Upakul Express’’ train from Dhaka was approaching.
Read: Woman crushed to death by train in Brahmanbaria
Showing remarkable presence of mind, Liza stopped trying to get off and instead used her slender frame to lie flat on the track - although this too was risky.
“The train ran over Liza, leaving her slightly injured,” Amzad said.
Liza was rushed to the Upazila Health Complex where she received first aid.
Md Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Akhaura railway police station, said that they were aware about the incident.
Section 144 imposed in Barishal’s Hijla over fears of AL infighting
Local administration imposed Section 144, restricting freedom of assembly, at Harinathpur Gorur Hat area under Barishal’s Hijla upazila over fears of infighting between two rival groups of local AL on Friday.
Officer In-charge of Hijla police station Yunus Mia confirmed the matter on Friday night.
“Section 144 has been imposed as two rival groups of local AL have called for simultaneous programmes at the same place. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) has imposed the curfew from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday,” said the OC.
Anwar Hossain Khan, President of Harinathpur union AL, called for the ward AL’s triennial conference at the Gorur Hat field, while Harinathpur union parishad Chairman and General Secretary of union AL Taufiqur Rahman Sikder has called for a meeting of the party activists at the same place.
“The upazila administration has imposed the section 144 to avert any untoward situation,” said Bokul Chandra Kabiraj, the UNO of Hijla.
Read: Barishal clash: AL demands removal of UNO, release of party men
Faridpur Juba League member detained with foreign pistol, ammos
A Juba League (JL) member and his associate were arrested with a foreign pistol, six rounds of bullets and a magazine from Sadar upazila Friday night.
The arrestees were identified as Shahidul Islam Mojnu, 47, a member of the district JL and also chairman of Ishan Gopalpur union parishad, and his associate Sohail Hossain, 35, a resident of Baitula Aman area of the Sadar upazila.
OC Md Rakibul Islam said they conducted a drive in Babuparra area under the Ishan Gopalpur union around 8:30pm on secret information.
During the drive, the DB members detained Mojnu and his associate Sohail with the pistol and other ammos. Legal action against them was underway, said Rakibul.
Read: UP chairman arrested over clash at AL conference in Rajshahi
Two of 5 assailants finally identified in CU incident
The local administration has identified two youths involved in a sexual assault on a female student at Chittagong University.
However, three others involved in the incident have not yet been identified, said Shahidul Islam, assistant proctor of the university.
He said that the university administration and the police are jointly investigating the matter.
He, however, said the names of those identified will not be disclosed at this moment for the sake of investigation.
The proctor said this while briefing journalists on the campus on Friday.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hathazari police station Ruhul Amin Sabuj said that investigation is going on in the case of sexual harassment of a CU student. The names of those culprits cannot be revealed because the matter is under investigation, he added.
Read: CU students protest harassment of female peer
Earlier on Sunday, a female student was physically assaulted by five youths while she was going to the Botanical Garden from Pritilata Hall of the campus with her friend around 10pm.
The goons also captured the incident on video and threatened to make it viral. Later, they fled with the mobile phones and wallets of the two students.
A five-member body has already been formed to investigate the assault.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students staged a protest on the campus on Wednesday night, demanding justice for the female student who was allegedly harassed.
Sailor dies of electrocution in Natore
A 29-year-old sailor, working as a captain in a private ship died of electrocution in Bagatipara upazila of Natore District on Friday noon.
The deceased was identified as Akram Hossain Babu, originally from Panchuria village of the upazila.
Quoting family members, police said Babu came in contact with a live electric wire while trying to connect the electricity to the water pump.
Family members rescued him and took him to the upazila health complex where doctors declared him dead.
Bagatipara police station officer-in-charge Sirajul Islam confirmed the matter to UNB.
Read: Sole bread earner gone, sailor's family now stares at uncertain future
Bangladesh wins Unilever Future Leaders' League 2022
A three-member team from Bangladesh has won the Unilever Future Leaders' League competition, a business case competition that connects students from all over the world.
With this win, Bangladesh holds two champions and three runners-up trophies of the Unilever Future Leaders' League.
The global competition aims to create a "better business and a better world through empowering the youth" to solve real-life business challenges.
This year over 54,000 applications were received from 45 universities globally.
Abrar Mahir Ahmed, Afnan Sayed and Rafsaan Muhab Shams won the award after competing with 23 countries in the final round. All three of them are now management trainees of Unilever.
Rafsaan is an alumnus of Dhaka University's Institute of Business Administration, and Abrar and Afnan are alumni of North South University.
As the winners, they will receive a career development opportunity of an all-inclusive trip to the Unilever headquarters in London.
In Bangladesh, the opportunity to participate in this global forum is awarded to the champions of BizMaestros – the flagship business competition of Unilever Bangladesh.
Read: 'The Dependables' wins Unilever BizMaestros 2021
From 340 students of undergraduate final years, the BizMaestros finalists had to go through multiple rounds with increasing levels of challenges to solve. Through these rounds, the participants were provided with hands-on training from managers, learning sessions with real business cases and mentorship from leaders of Unilever.
Mohammad Zaved Akhtar, chief executive officer and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh, said: "It is a moment of pride for Unilever Bangladesh to witness our talented team's glorious win in the Unilever Future Leaders' League competition. The team showcased their skills and talent on an international platform and upheld the Bangladesh flag."
Youth associated with journo Rubel killing held in Kushtia
Police arrested a youth associated with the killing of local journalist Hasibur Rahman Rubel from Rajarhat intersection area of Kushtia town on Wednesday night.
The arrestee is Imran Sheikh Emon, 32, son of Shamsul Alam Samu of Courtpara area of the town.
Emon used to be a leader of Kushtia town Jubo League’s (JL) past convening committee. He has four cases of arms, drugs, theft and fighting pending against him.
He was also arrested with arms and phensedyl by Rab previously.
Md Khairul Alam, Kushtia’s Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed these matters at a press briefing at the SP’s office on Friday afternoon.
“Emon is directly involved in the killing of journalist Rubel. Besides, Kazi Sohan and Khondker Ashikur Rahman Jewel, who have been previously arrested by Rab, are also involved in the killing,” said Khairul.
Read: Prime accused in Cumilla journo murder case killed in 'gunfight’ with Rab
The SP asserted that Rubel wasn’t killed for doing journalism. He added that police will present Emon before the court and ask for a 10-day remand.
Rubel was working at his office around 9:00pm on July 3 and went to the Singer intersection area of Kushtia town upon receiving a phone call. His decomposed body was found by Pabna river police under Joduboyra bridge in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali upazila four days later.
Rubel’s uncle Mizanur Rahman filed a case with Kumarkhali police station in this regard the next day, based on which the arrests were made.
Hasibur Rahman Rubel was the Editor(Acting) of local daily ‘Kushtiar Khabar’ and the Kushtia Correspondent of national daily ‘Amader Notun Shomoy’. He was also the General Secretary of Kushtia Reporters’ Club.
BCL leader hacked to death in Cox's Bazar
A leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) was allegedly stabbed to death by miscreants in Sadar Upazila of Cox's Bazar in the early hours of Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Emon Hasan Mowla, joint general secretary of ward No.4 unit BCL and son of businessman Mohammad Hasan of North Tekpara.
Family members of the deceased said Emon went for a ride on his father's motorcycle at Siko Borof Kol point of the Bakkhali River in Peshkar neighborhood on Thursday morning.
At one stage, a group of assailants, including Abdullah Khan, Syed Akbar, Ramzan, Iman, Sunny and Farhad waylaid Emon and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him seriously injured.
Read: BCL leader stabbed dead in Cox’s Bazar
He was immediately rushed to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital where the doctors referred him to Chittagong Medical Hospital. He succumbed to his injuries around 3am while undergoing treatment there.
Police recovered the body after being informed, said Sheikh Munir-ul-Ghiyas, officer-in-charge of Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station.
"Efforts are on to nab the culprits," added the OC.