The government has invited World Bank President David Malpass to attend the gala inaugural ceremony of the much-awaited Padma Bridge scheduled to be held on June 25.

Bangladesh Bridge Authority has e-mailed the invitation to the chief of the multilateral lending agency on Wednesday, an official confirmed to UNB.

A hard copy of the invitation card will also be sent to the World Bank country office in Dhaka later.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bridge Authority has started to send invitation cards to guests for the inaugural programme from Wednesday.

Invitation cards have been sent to the foreign ministry to distribute among the foreign missions stationed in Dhaka, and offices of the international development agencies to attend the inaugural function.

Rupam Anwar, director, admin of Bangladesh Bridge Authority, said distribution of invitation cards will be completed within one week.

Also Read: Padma Bridge symbol of dignity; future of Bangladesh hinges much on this bridge: Joy

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will also be invited to join the inaugural ceremony, he added.

In 2012, the World Bank had cancelled its $1.2 billion credit for the Padma Bridge project alleging it has proof of a corruption conspiracy involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm, and individuals.

World Bank’s then-President Robert B Zoellick made a statement on the allegation, which was vehemently denied by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The bank’s withdrawal led to Hasina’s strong decision to build the bridge with the country’s own funds.