Terming the proposed Padma Multipurpose Bridge a dream project of the nation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday categorically said the construction works on its main structure will begin in the current fiscal year.
“A vested quarter had made repeated attempts to defame Bangladesh in the international area over this project, but they failed as the government has taken an all-out preparation to implement it with its own resource,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the construction works on Janjira approach road, Mawa approach road and Service Area-2 of Padma Multipurpose Bridge at a function here.
Without mentioning the World Bank’s name, Sheikh Hasina said an international organisation had denied to provide its pledged fund for the project and tried to taint he country’s image.
“That organisation (WB) had first said there had been corruption in the project. As we challenged their allegation, it then said there had been corruption conspiracy, not corruption, in the mega project,” she said.
Hasina said the Awami League comes to power to work for people, not for committing graft. “We’ve been working sincerely for the county’s socioeconomic development.”
The Prime Minister said the present government has allocated Tk 5,000 in the current national budget for the Padma Bridge project and a specialised army composite brigade has been constituted for its implementation.
Highlighting massive development that taken place in the last five years, Sheikh Hasina called upon people to reelect Awami League government to complete the Padma Bridge and set up an international airport on the west side of the bridge.
“Primarily, we’ve selected Char Janaja for a continental airport on the western side of the Padma Bridge project. A feasibility study is going on in this regard,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure country’s socioeconomic development,” she added.
“The bridge would have been constructed long ago had it been a bridge of design,” she said adding that this double decker bridge would be one of the super-structures and unique installations.
The Janjira approach road includes a four-lane 10.5-km duel carriageway, five bridges, 19 box culverts, eight road underpass, toll plaza and service area-3 while Mawa approach road includes 1.61-km four-lane duel carriageway, Mawa side toll plaza and service area-1.
Under the service area-2 project, a mosque, motel, resort, reception building, supervision office, 30 duplex houses, overhead water tank, health centre, guard house, power sub-station and fire detection and fire fighting systems will be constructed.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan, FBCCI president Qazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, whip and local MP Nur e Alam Chowdhury (Liton), central Awami League leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah and district administrator Miaz Uddin Khan also spoke on the occasion.
Senior Awami League leaders Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan were, among others, present.
Source: UNB Connect
