Padma bridge deadline now June next year Opening delayed by a year due to pandemic Photo: Collected The government approved a proposal to extend the deadline for the much-talked-about Padma bridge project to June 23, 2022. The planning ministry on Tuesday approved the proposal of Bangladesh Bridge Authority, seeking extension of the deadline because the pandemic slowed down progress. June 23 is the founding anniversary of the Awami League. The ministry, however, assured that the project cost will not exceed the current Tk 30,193 crore. The deadline was June this year. Planning Minister MA Mannan told The Daily Star that he signed the proposal on Tuesday.