Malaysia hopeful of getting Padma project work: Samy Vellu, He says they want to start work by Oct next

AKM Moinuddin, UNB Staff Writer, from Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, July 15 (UNB) – Although the government has chalked out an ambitious plan to construct Padma Bridge with its own funds, Malaysia is optimistic to implement the dream project and wants to start the preliminary work on it by October this year. “We’ve studied the project …we’ve also taken notes of some engineering factors. With all these, I think it’ll take off by October…we propose to start the preliminary work,” Malaysian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Infrastructure to India and South Asia Dato S Samy Vellu told UNB here at Seri Pacific Hotel on Saturday night. He, however, did not elaborate what will be the terms and conditions, and its costing if Malaysia finally goes for implementing the much-talked-about dream project, the largest-ever infrastructure of the country. Vellu said they have submitted ‘intermediate proposals’ and now they will submit the final proposal. Asked why Malaysia is so interested in the project, Vellu said, “We feel that we’re experienced and we’ve the partners who are capable to work with us…it’s one of the factors.” “Secondly”, he added, “We thought, Malaysia, being a very close friend of Bangladesh, we must find our ways as to how we can help Bangladesh as the World Bank didn’t provide the loan…” He said: “Padma Bridge is a very import project and it is not so easy project as so many engineering, technical, and many other aspects have to be considered. It has been a dream for Bangladeshi people and it’ll soon become a reality. If we’re given a job to do, we’ll make sure that the job is done to a more perfection.” He renewed his hope to finalise the negotiations with Bangladesh so that work on the project could start within the next few months. “…not so many months, may be three-four months.” The Malaysian envoy said, “We’ll be proud of doing this bridge project and we feel that we’ve an obligation to complete the bridge and hand it over to them (Bangladesh). It’ll be a bridge which will be used for many purposes… it’ll be a bridge that will unite Bangladesh into one rather than two.” Responding to a question, he said they have already submitted some of the preliminary designs of the project to the Bridge Division and they (Bridge Division) have come back with lot of comments. “We’re working on it…at the same time; we’re getting designs from E-com, the consultant appointed by the Bangladesh government.” On June 28, Malaysia submitted a draft proposal to the Bangladesh government for signing a final deal for implementing the Padma bridge project. According to the proposal, the Malaysian government will invest around $3 billion and complete the construction in three years. It will operate the bridge for 37 years and then hand it over to the Bangladesh government, official sources said. The World Bank had pledged US$1.2 billion for the US$2.9 billion project but cancelled the loan deal citing corruption concerns. Earlier, Vellu attended an event ‘Bangladesh Cultural Night’ and dinner hosted by Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) at Seri Pacific Hotel. BMCCI President Syed Nurul Islam and organizing committee chairman of Showcase Bangladesh’12 Syed Moazzem Hossain sought support from Malaysia and special initiative from Vellu to help Bangladesh implement the Padma Bridge project. Commerce Minister GM Quader and exhibition director M Alamgir Jalil also spoke at the function followed by a cultural programme and dinner. Noted singer Sabina Yasmin, among others, performed at the programme. http://unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-82264