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

On March 7, 2016, the Chinese Government committed RMB 300 million in grant funding for the construction of 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 reports that the project will cost a total of 11.453 billion BDT (taka), of which 7.052 billion BDT (taka) will be granted by the Chinese Government. Upon completion, it is 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, is the contractor responsible for project implementation. Construction began on November 1, 2018, and the expected project completion date is January 1, 2021. Upon completion, this 1500 meter bridge will run over the Kocha River in Bekutia within Pirojpur District. It is located at the 12th km of Rajapur-Naikati-Bekutia Pirojpur Road (Z-8702 or the Rajapur-Pirojpur Expressway). At the moment, a ferry is operated on the Kocha river and it takes more than an hour to cross the river. More detailed locational information can be found at https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bekutia+Ferry+Ghat/@22.5768962,90.0128834,14z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sBekutia+Ferry!3m4!1s0x30aaab3fb23678d1:0xe94a3004c36500ab!8m2!3d22.5692044!4d90.0349866.

Additional details

This project is also known as Kocha Bridge Construction Project or the Bekutia Bridge over Kocha River on Perojpur-Jhalokathi Road, Pirojpur District Project.

Number of official sources

14

Number of unofficial sources

5