Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the successful construction of Padma Bridge has boosted self-confidence that Bangladesh can implement even larger projects in future.
“The decision for the construction of Padma Bridge with our own fund brightened the country’s image and the whole world has started to show respect towards Bangladesh,” she said.
The prime minister said this during a general discussion on a motion placed in Parliament to greet and thank her for the construction of the 6.15-km Padma Bridge.
The motion was passed unanimously by a voice vote following over six hours-long marathon discussion.
Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury brought the motion in the House under section 147 of the Rules of Procedure.
Hasina said the people of Bangladesh have gained knowledge over technology (to build such mega bridge). “In future, we’ll be able to do more improved and bigger task,” she added.
Lambasting the role of Dr Muhammad Yunus in canceling the World Bank’s funding for Padma Bridge project, the PM questioned how a person can make such a big harm to the country just for the lust of a post of managing director of a bank.
She also alleged that an editor (of a newspaper) was also involved closely in this matter.
“Dr Yunus and that editor emailed the World Bank time and again so that funding would be stopped….. Hillary Clinton was engaged in the matter,” she added.
In this connection, she said, ”They thought we would surrender to them. But I am the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I didn’t and will not bow down to anything unjust .”
The PM said she, her government and her family members and Cabinet members faced tremendous pressure, humiliation and false cases regarding the baseless corruption allegation that ultimately declared false by a Canadian court.
Explaining the rise of project cost compared with the design taken by the caretaker government back in 2007, Hasina said there was no rail line, electricity and gas supply lines in the previous project design.
Besides, the cost against land acquisition in the new design went up three times and the amount of acquired land was increased several times.
She also mentioned strong river training and construction of 100 percent bridge with navigation clearance and rise of length of the main bridge as reasons behind the higher project cost.
In his motion, the Chief Whip said, “Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, should be cordially congratulated and thanked on behalf of the nation through special discussion in Parliament for her courageous and firm leadership, unconditional love for the people and providing the nation the gift of Padma Bridge.”
He said the Prime Minister will open Padma Bridge, the much desired largest infrastructure project in the history of Bangladesh, on June 25, 2022. “This day will always be remembered as a glorious day in our national life,” he said.
Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the Padma Bridge on July 4, 2001 aiming to improve the living standards of more than three crore people of the country’s 21 southwestern districts.
“The 6.15-km bridge with four-lane highway and one lane railway is a reality today. It is a symbol of pride, self-confidence, ability and self-respect for Bengalis,” said Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury.
He said it is none other than Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who deserves the credit for this achievement as she was uncompromising, steadfast and unwavering like her father in the construction of the Padma Bridge by ignoring hundreds of adversities, obstacles, baseless allegations and conspiracies of the World Bank.
“Sheikh Hasina did not bow her head to any pressure that day,” the chief whip added.
He said today Sheikh Hasina has opened the door to the immense potential of Bangladesh through the successful implementation of the Padma Bridge.
According to the economic survey, the implementation of the Padma Bridge project will increase the country’s GDP by at least 1.23 percent per year, he added.
Awami League lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Obaidul Quader, Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Shajahan Khan and Muhammad Faruk Khan; Jatiya Party lawmakers Kazi Firoz Rashid, Anisul Islam Mahmud and Fakhrul Imam; JaSod MP Hasanul Haq Inu; Workers Party MP Rashed Khan Menon; and BNP lawmakers Harunur Rashid and Rumeen Farhana, among others, participate in the discussion.
SOURCE: UNITED NEWS OF BANGLADESH