Bangladesh is building a modern transport system: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government has been developing a modern transport system by implementation of different projects to accelerate the country’s economic growth.

“We’re developing a modern transport system,” she said while opening the 1493-metre ‘Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge’ over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur, which established the uninterrupted road connectivity between Khulna Division and Barishal Division.

The premier joined the opening ceremony of the bridge through a virtual platform from her office in the capital.

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She said her government enhanced the total length of the country’s highways to 22,000km and 718km highways have already been upgraded into 4-lane or above-lane ones, while the works are underway to turn more than 600km highways into 4-lane or above-lane ones.

Sheikh Hasina said the government is now implementing different projects including metro rail and elevated expressway projects in Dhaka, 20km Rapid Bus Transit (project) from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Bangabandhu Tunnel under Karnaphuli River in Chattogram and 10-Lane Tongi Bridge Construction projects.

“I think once these projects are completed, our economy will get further momentum,” she said.

The construction work of the bridge was started on November 1 in 2018.

The Roads and Highways Department constructed the bridge at a cost of Tk 894.08 crore.

The Chinese government provided Tk 654.80 crore as project assistance for the bridge while the Bangladesh government spent Tk 239.80 crore.

The bridge also strengthened the road connectivity between Pirojpur and Dhaka. It also strengthened the road connectivity among Kuakata Sea beach, Payra deep sea port, Mongla sea port and the country's largest land port Benapole.

Sheikh Hasina said it is her government’s duty to change the fate of the people in the entire country. “We’ve already advanced a long way in the journey of our socio-economic development. Bangladesh attained the status of a developing country. I think we’ll able to achieve further economic prosperity,” she said.

She said the people of the southern region had long been deprived due to poor connectivity with the capital.

The people of this region used to come to Dhaka for livelihoods by crossing several mighty rivers risking their lives and facing immense sufferings.

But now the communication between Dhaka and the southern region became easier as her government constructed many bridges including Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Shikarpur-Duarika Bridge and Gabkhan Bridge, said Sheikh Hasina.

Noting that many other bridges are being constructed in this region, she said the people of the southern region would not be neglected anymore.

About the newly opened bridge, the PM said it would help bring economic prosperity for the people of Pirojpur. “The communication between Pirojpur and Dhaka has now become very easy,” she added.

The premier reiterated her call to all for boosting the food production amid the global crisis induced by the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Even a single inch of land shouldn’t remain uncultivated,” she went on.

The prime minister again urged the people to exercise austerity in the use of electricity, water and fuels during this tough time.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming also spoke at the opening ceremony conducted by PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus.

Later, the premier exchanged views with the beneficiaries who participated in the two rallies on the two sides of the bridge.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister, also Pirojpur-1 MP, SM Rezaul Karim was present at a rally at the west side of the bridge, while Pirojpur-2 MP Anwar Hossain Manju was present at another rally at its east side.

Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a power-point presentation over the newly constructed bridge.