Home ›› 25 Oct 2021 ›› Front
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said a vested section of people deliberately perpetrated incidents to tarnish the image of the country.
“Some incidents happen or are being perpetrated time and again. You (people) must feel that it is being done intentionally so that the image of Bangladesh is tarnished (abroad),” she said.
The prime minister came up with the observation while inaugurating the much-awaited bridge constructed over the Payra River at Lebukhali on Barishal-Patuakhali highway.
She also laid foundation stone of the up-gradation of Dhaka-Sylhet and Sylhet-Tamabil Highways into six-lane with separate SMVT lanes.
The prime minister said a group is busy to defame the country, adding that it is no matter to them, whatever development or good work is carried out in the country.
“What do they want? Actually they don’t want normal democratic process to continue in the country,” she said, continuing that, “Their importance is increased if an unusual situation takes place in the country.”
Sheikh Hasina said they don’t see the development rather “they want to destroy” and it is the reality. “So the countrymen have to remain alert about this,” she observed.
The prime minister said Bangladesh will move ahead through communication across the country and none can pull it back.
Later, the prime minister exchanged views connecting with Payra Bridge end at Patuakhali and the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet. The Payra Bridge has a “bridge health monitor” system, which has been installed for the first time in a bridge in the country.
The system will send signals of natural disasters, including thunderstorms and earthquakes or any damage.
The both sides of 1470 metre long and 19.6 metre wide bridge will be connected by cables, while it is 18.30 metre high from the water level to ease movement of ships coming from and to Payra port.
In the construction of the bridge, a single pillar has been used in the middle of the river which is expected not to disrupt the normal water flow of the river.
With the opening of Payra Bridge, direct road communication will be established between Dhaka and Kuakata after being completed the construction of the Padma Bridge.
The prime minister said after assuming office in 2009, the Awami League government has concentrated on the development of the country, especially in the southern region.
She said her government first built the Patuakhali Bridge on the Laukathi River during the first tenure followed by the Shaheed Abdur Rab Serniabat Bridge (Dapdapiya Bridge) on the Kirtankhola River, the Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Bridge on the Andharamanik River in Khepupara, the Shaheed Sheikh Jamal.
Bridge on the Sonatala River in Hajipur and the Shaheed Sheikh Russell Bridge on the Khaprabhanga River in Mahipur in phases.
Today an aesthetic Payra Bridge was built over the Payra River which would not only increase tourism opportunities but also expand business as the government is setting up Payra Sea Port, she added.
Mentioning that a communication network will be established all over the Bangladesh, she said, “If the Padma Bridge is opened, the people of the south will have no more trouble and that’s why we are building other bridges at the same time.”
Expressing gratitude to the people for voting Awami League, Sheikh Hasina said, “Due to consistency of the government, no one can undermine today’s Bangladesh, everyone respect Bangladesh now. The country has earned acclamation from the whole world.”
She also mentioned that the government has adopted Vision 2021, Vision 2041 and Delta Plan 2100 to advance the country.
Sheikh Hasina said the southern part of Bangladesh, which has canals, rivers and water-bodies, is going to be the most affected by climate change.
“Therefore, as soon as we can make socio-economic development in this region, it will help improve the quality of people’s life here. It will have a huge impact on country’s economy and we will be able to take the country further,” she added.
