Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the main construction work for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.

River training and work on the main structure of the two-tier bridge formally began with Saturday’s ceremony.

The prime minister first unveiled a plaque to start the river training works at Naodoba in Janzira before heading to Mawa point for the groundbreaking of the main bridge. On her way to Mawa from Janzira by a coastguard vessel, she witnessed piling work taking place in the middle of the Padma River.

The 6.15km steel truss bridge will carry a four-lane highway on its upper level and a single-track railway below. It is being built by China Major Bridge Engineering.