PM receives Padma Bridge loan repayment installmentBangladesh must progress: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh would march ahead facing any hurdle with people's support as she received first repayment installment of the Padma Bridge loan.

"I believe we can step forward confronting any hurdle if the people stand beside us. Construction of the Padma Bridge with own finance is the best example of it," she said.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of around Tk 316.91 crore to the premier as the first installment of repaying loan taken for building Padma Bridge at a function at her official Ganabhaban residence here.

The prime minister said her government has built the Padma Bridge with own finances taking it as a challenge as the World Bank suspended loan to construct it followed by some other organisations.

The Padma Bridge loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate as per an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

On June 25, 2022, the prime minister opened the country's largest bridge - 6.15-km Padma Bridge- over the mighty Padma River.