Govt mulls Dhaka-Ctg express train service: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has a plan to introduce Dhaka-Chittagong express train service for easier and quick communications between the country's two major cities.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating and laying foundation of 51 projects of various ministries in ten districts through video conference with local representatives and officials from her Gono Bhaban residence in Dhaka today.
The prime minister inaugurated newly constructed 48 projects in Kotalipara of Gopalganj, Patiya of Chittagong, Comilla, Gazipur, Brahmanbaria, Patuakhali, Sunamganj, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Narayanganj and Joypurhat district. She also laid the foundation of three projects in Joypurhat.
Sheikh Hasina urged the party leaders at all level to work together in their areas to implement the development projects taken by the government. She also urged the local representatives to work in coordination of the people for smooth running of the projects.
She said the present government is working to materialize the dream of Bangabandhu to build a hunger and poverty free nation. She expressed her firm optimism that Bangladesh would be a middle income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041 with the united efforts of all.
The prime minister inaugurated five projects of the power division. The projects are- power supply to 6000 families of 90 villages of Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj, a 108 MW duel-fuel power plant in Patiya, Chittagong, a 150MW duel-fuel power plant at Kadda of Gazipur, 225 MW combined cycle power plant at Ashuganj of Brahminbaria district, a 52.2 MW duel-fuel power plant at Jangalia of Comilla district.
Eighteen projects of the road division are: Sheikh Kamal Bridge and Sheikh Jamal Bridge on Patuakhali-Kuakata highway and newly constructed five bridges in Zakiganj, 11 bridges in Sunamganj of Sylhet zone under Eastern Bangladesh Bridge Improvement Project.
Other projects include - second rail line under Tongi-Bhairab Bazar double line project, seven projects of Local Government Division (LGD) in Narayanganj including a water supply and Sonakanda water treatment plant and four projects of LGD and projects of education, law, women and children affairs, home and youth and sports ministries in Joypurhat.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Division Obaidul Qader, PM's advisors HT Imam, Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, state minister for youth and sports Biren Sikder, and senior officials of the ministries were present at Gono Bhaban while PM's principal secretary Abul Kalam Azad conducted the programme.
Later, the prime minister exchanged views with the local representatives, political leaders and government officials from 11 venues in those districts where the project were implemented.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has embarked upon massive development programme and wants to develop the country to provide people with a prosperous life for which the nation was liberated.
The present government is holding on the spirit of Bangabandhu to build a hunger and poverty free nation. "Bangabandhu has clearly mentioned in the constitution about the ways of socio- economic development of the country and our duty is to implement the plan and take forward the country in this way," she said.
In this regard the prime minister said it's a demand since 1954 to construct Dhaka-Chittagong double rail line. But, no government in the past has taken the initiative to fulfill the demand.
Awami League government after assuming office in 2009 has taken the project, she said adding, "The double rail line on Dhaka-Chittagong route would make way to introduce express rail between the two cities."
Sheikh Hasina said her government has implemented massive development programmes in every field over the last seven years. "A total of 537 bridges were constructed during the time of Awami League government in office," she said.
The prime minister said the government has chalked out plan to reach electricity to every house and increase the production capacity to 24,000 MW by 2021 and 60,000 MW power by 2041.
The prime minister said Bangladesh is a beautiful country blessed with abound resources.
"Poverty rate has been reduced remarkably due to pragmatic steps of the government to develop the country through optimum utilization of the resources," she said.
The prime minister sought support of the countrymen in properly and speedily implementing the development projects in their respective areas for yielding better development outcomes.
"We are working with an aim to build a country where there would be no poverty, none would remain homeless, none would die without treatment," Sheikh Hasina said.
Renewing her commitment to build rail network throughout the country, the prime minister said rail communication would be extended to Barisal and then Kuakata, Payra Sea Port and Mongla port.
Later, the prime minister exchanged views with the ministers, local representatives, political leaders and government officials from 11 venues in those districts where the project are being implemented.