Opening of Padma bridge possible by 2018: PM

It is possible to open the Padma Multipurpose Bridge to traffic by 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told parliament today.

"The construction work of the Padma Bridge is going satisfactorily and opening of the bridge to traffic would be possible by 2018," she said in reply to lawmakers’ queries.

In the scripted answer, Hasina said, "Due to the courageous leadership and firm decision of the Awami League government, it has been possible to start the construction work of the Padma Bridge with the government's own fund.” 

Replying to another query, the premier said around 106.5 million people have got jobs at home and abroad in the last seven years despite volatile situation in the labour marker in Middle East and North African countries.

Hasina said the rate of revenue income was 17.64 percent during 2009-2015 period which was the highest in comparison to any time in the past.

Terming the poverty reduction and food autarky as the major success of her government, the prime minister said about poverty rate came to 23.8 percent in 2015 from 40 percent in 2005.

In reply to another query, she said her government is firm to establish the rule of law, upholding the basic human rights of people through curbing militancy and terrorism.

In a scripted reply, the PM said the government has directed all the law enforcement agencies, including the police and the intelligence agencies, to bring all those involved in subversive and violent acts and their order givers under the purview of law and take due legal steps against them.

Highlighting her government's various steps to keep the law and order situation normal as well as resist all the attempts to create anarchy in the country, Hasina said the government has amended the 'Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009' to effectively curb militancy.

Railway lines on Padma bridge

Railway Minister Mujibul Haque today told parliament that construction of railway lines on the Padma bridge will start by January next year.

Replying to lawmakers’ queries, the minister said the government has taken initiative to implement the project titled “Padma bridge rail connection project” to construct 215 killometers railway lines stretching from Dhaka to Jessore via Mawa, Padma Bridge and Vanga.

Mujibul said construction of railway lines at Dhaka-Mawa point will start by January next year after signing of loan agreement with EXIM Bank, China.