Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

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

¥528K RMB

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Bangladesh
Country	Bangladesh
Start Date	Mar 07, 2016
End Date	Nov 16, 2026
Duration	3,906 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`53530`

Grant Description

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.

📋 Staff Comments

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

📚 Sources & References

Commitment and Disbursement of Grants
China-Bangladesh Friendship Eight Bridge is about to start
Chinese Ambassador H.E.Mr.Ma Mingqiang Signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between China and Bangladesh
Deal signed for 8th friendship bridge
Commitment 2015-16
李光军参赞出席援孟孟中友谊八桥项目开工仪式
李光军参赞一行视察孟中友谊八桥项目
中企在孟加拉国援建的7座大桥为当地百姓带来福祉
Much-awaited Kocha Bridge work begins
China provides Bangladesh fund for 8th friendship bridge
Details Info of a Selected Project (ADP) - Record ID#4247
China to fund Bangladesh for 9th friendship bridge, other infrastructure projects
SIXTH FIVE YEAR PLAN FY2011-FY2015
Details Info of a Selected Project (ADP) - Record ID#4207
FeasibilityStudy for BekutiaBridge over KochaRiver on Perojpur-Jhalokathi Road
Pirojpur District
Details Info of a Selected Project (ADP) - Record ID#4246
Press Release
China provides Bangladesh fund for 8th friendship bridge
COMMITMENT AND DISBURSEMENT OF GRANTS-2014/15
China-aided friendship bridge inaugurated in Bangladesh
The Eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Constructed by CREC Opens to Traffic, 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge in Pirojpur to open on Sep 4
CREC Ranked 34th on the Fortune Global 500 List
Cheer in Pirojpur as a long-awaited bridge opens over Kocha River
Chinese-built bridge opens to traffic in southern Bangladesh
Feature: China-Bangladesh friendship bridge becomes tourist hotspot with Islamic
Chinese characteristics
Sheikh Hasina opens B’desh-China Friendship Bridge
The 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project Was Officially Handed Over Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.