Leaving No One Behind: A People-Centric Development Model of the Padma Bridge Megaproject

Within South Asia, there exists an implicit trade-off between pursuing developmental objectives and projects against the detrimental social and environmental impacts of such ventures. While infrastructure and connectivity projects may produce positive outcomes for the economic, employment, and industrial capacities of a country, they also trigger an unequal impact on the social dynamics and environmental security of the state. These projects have immense repercussions on human security— in the form of forced migration and displacement— and an understudied gender disparity angle. It raises the pertinent questions— Development for whom? Who is this megaproject for? Can all communities share in this development and enjoy the fruits of prosperity?

Shedding light on one of Bangladesh’s most significant infrastructure endeavors, the Padma Bridge Megaproject, this panel aims to explore the overlooked consequences of development. This panel will deliberate on whether environmentally and socially conscious developmental undertakings are possible and how policies that strengthen the social, financial, human, and natural capacities of a nation can be formulated.

Speakers:

Md. Rafid Abrar Miah, Research Officer, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Bangladesh
Sohini Bose, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, India

Moderator:

Niranjan Sahoo, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, India