The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday sought cooperation from all, including the people of Chittagong, in keeping the country free from all sorts of terrorism and militancy. ‘We have built a terrorism- and militancy-free Bangladesh, and want to continue this atmosphere in the coming days,’ she said. The prime minister was speaking after inaugurating the construction work on a 5,200-metre-long and 15-metre wide Muradpur-Lalkhan Bazar flyover on the CDA Avenue in Chittagong. She said the government wants to keep up democracy and development in the country, and work for the welfare of people. ‘We do not want terrorism and militancy… We want the continuation of democracy and development, and work for people’s welfare for which we want your support.’ Hasina said the prime aim of her government is to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh with the Liberation War spirit where there will be no poverty and hunger. Chittagong Development Authority was constructing the flyover at an estimated cost of over Tk 4.62 billion. Of the total cost, Tk 4.372 billion would come from the government, while Tk 250 million from the CDA. The construction work on the flyover having a 1.7-km long two-lane loop that would land on the city’s Bayezid Bostami Road was expected to be completed by June, 2016. DDC, SARM, DPM-JV, a consulting firm, made the drawing and design of the fly over. It also conducted a feasibility study on the project. The revised project was later approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on October 1, 2013. The proposed project addresses the middle portion of the CDA Avenue to mitigate traffic congestion on the route. The Chittagong Development Authority recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Bangladesh joint venture construction company Max-Renken JV for constructing a 5.2-km long flyover from the city’s Muradpur to Lalkhan Bazar areas, with one end at Muradpur and the other at Lalkhan Bazar opposite to Jamiatul Falah Mosque. Hasina also mentioned the construction of flyovers in Chittagong, the second Karnaphuli Bridge, construction of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway and double-track railway, transforming Chittagong Airport into an international one and construction of Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar rail line. On completion of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway, Hasina said the government has a plan to upgrade it to a six-lane one for the smooth plying of vehicles. The prime minister said the double-track Dhaka-Chittagong railway would be of dual gauge ones. Terming Chittagong as the country’s commercial capital, she said her government has given utmost importance to development of the port city alongside other regions of the country. About the ongoing gas crisis in Chittagong, Hasina said it would be mitigated on completion of the construction of Matarbari coal-based power plant and LNG terminal. She also said power production in the country has marked a significant rise due to pragmatic steps of the government, giving a boost to food grain output. ‘As we are producing enough food grains, we have decided to export rice,’ she said.
Source: The New Age
