Railway Minister Denies Structural Risk to Padma Bridge Rail Link Over Soil Removal Operations
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Railway Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has dismissed concerns regarding the excavation of soil beneath the viaduct of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area, asserting that the activity is a planned, contractual necessity. Speaking at an event in Aliganj on Thursday, the minister emphasized that the soil removal adheres strictly to the project’s approved design and poses no risk to the structural integrity of the viaduct.
The minister’s comments were aimed at dispelling public confusion fueled by recent media reports suggesting the excavation could compromise the infrastructure. According to the minister, the project, which connects Dhaka to Mawa, required temporary land filling to facilitate the movement of heavy machinery and construction materials through the region’s marshlands. He noted that such temporary infill is standard practice for large-scale infrastructure projects globally and is mandated for removal upon the completion of construction.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Project Director Brigadier General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sayem corroborated these technical details, explaining that the ongoing removal of temporary earth is a routine phase of the project’s completion. Approximately 14.41 kilometers of the total 16.76-kilometer stretch have already been cleared, with only 2.34 kilometers of excavation work remaining.
Addressing the safety of the viaduct, the minister assured that the structural foundation remains securely anchored well below the surface level. The excavation is designed to lower the ground by roughly 5.5 feet to reach the natural land level. Beneath this, the viaduct’s six-foot-thick pile caps sit eight feet deeper, supported by piles extending 200 feet into the ground. These specifications, he maintained, are the result of rigorous engineering calculations that decouple the surface soil removal from the foundation’s stability.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The minister further emphasized that the government, the Bangladesh Army, and railway authorities are monitoring the situation closely and remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety for the national infrastructure project. He urged the public to trust the ongoing efforts, noting that all actions are performed with national interest and professional responsibility at the forefront.
The event was attended by State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Ministry Secretary Fahimul Islam, and local administrative leaders, including Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Sakhawat Hossain and District Council Administrator Mamun Mahmud, alongside senior officials from the railway and law enforcement agencies.
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