paragraph about the Padma Bridge in Bangladesh:
The Padma Bridge is set to be a landmark development for Bangladesh when it opens in 2022. Spanning the wide and mighty Padma River, this 6.15 kilometer long bridge will connect 21 southern districts with the capital Dhaka and the rest of the country. The bridge will feature a four lane highway on the upper level and a railway line on the lower level. Construction of the Padma Bridge started in 2014 at a cost of $3.87 billion, with funding issues and corruption allegations delaying the massive project.
Once complete, the Padma Bridge will be transformative for Bangladesh. It will vastly improve connectivity between the capital region and the country's southern districts. Currently, it takes hours to cross the Padma River by ferry, causing delays for trade, transit and business activities. The bridge will reduce this travel time to just minutes, significantly boosting economic activity. It will facilitate land linkages with India and neighbors for improved trade. Officials estimate the bridge could increase Bangladesh's GDP by 1-2% through better connectivity and market access. The bridge will also improve people's livelihoods by connecting farmers, producers and businesses to larger markets. Residents are hopeful that the Padma Bridge will bring infrastructural development and new economic opportunities to their long-underdeveloped region. With years of hardship and setbacks behind it, the Padma Bridge now stands as a symbol of Bangladesh's ambition and resilience to overcome challenges through determination.