Chinese Government provides RMB 528 million in grant funding for 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Construction Project over the Kocha River

Project narrative

On March 7, 2016, the Chinese Government issued an RMB 300 million grant to the Government of Bangladesh for the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Construction Project. The Chinese Government reportedly increased its grant commitment to RMB 528 million at some point. However, the exact date and nature of this grant funding increase are unclear. The Government of Bangladesh reported that the project would cost a total of 11.453 billion BDT (taka), of which 7.052 billion BDT (taka) will be granted by the Chinese Government. The purpose of the project was to construct a 1500 meter bridge that runs over the Kocha River in Bekutia within Pirojpur District. The bridge is located at the 12th km of Rajapur-Naikati-Bekutia Pirojpur Road (Z-8702 or the Rajapur-Pirojpur Expressway). Prior to project completion, a ferry was operated on the Kocha river and it took more than an hour to cross the river. Upon completion, it was expected that the bridge will play an important role in accelerating the movement of people and goods between Barisal and Khulna divisions. China Railway Major Bridge Reconnaissance & Design Institute Co., Ltd. (BRDI), a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited, was the contractor responsible for project implementation. Construction began on November 1, 2018, and the originally expected project completion date was January 1, 2021. The bridge was ultimately completed and officially inaugurated on September 4, 2022.