Ensure planned development of rural areas
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged planned development of rural areas, keeping in mind the country’s high population density.
“We’ll ensure civic amenities in rural areas, as our aim is to develop the villages,” she said during a presentation on the Land Acquisition and Biodiversity Preservation Plan for areas adjacent to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Complex in Gopalganj’s Tungipara.
The presentation was given at the Prime Minister’s Office with the PM in the chair.
Hasina said Bangladesh has very little land but a high population. “We have to ensure food security, healthcare, education and jobs. We’ve strengthened our economy considering all these factors.”
She said these should be ensured in rural areas as well so that people do not have to come to the capital just to look for jobs. “They’ll have employment opportunities in their respective areas, too.”
The PM said nature must be in mind while carrying out development work, such as protecting rivers, canals and wetlands, ensuring water drainage system and preserving waterways.
“We have to consider these issues while going for any development work.”
The four-year-long Land Acquisition and Biodiversity Preservation project will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department at a cost of Tk 395 crore.
The project is being undertaken as part of the ongoing “Important Urban Infrastructure Development Project (2nd Phase)” involving Tk 3,465 crore. This will be implemented in 281 municipalities across the country between January 2018 and December 2021.
Under the project, development of roads, construction of bridges, culverts and drains, acquisition of land, preservation of biodiversity, digging canals, reconstruction of river banks, renovation of ponds/lakes/canals, beautification, tree plantation, and installation of streetlights will be done.
PM’s Adviser HT Imam, her Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, MP, Tungipara upazila chairman, Tungipara municipality mayor, and local Awami League leaders were present.
Stressing the need for undertaking development programmes through a well-thought-out plan, Hasina said development was not only building structures, rather taking up various programmes considering the needs of people and protecting the environment and biodiversity.
She asked all concerned to take up development programmes in accordance with the need. “Don’t undertake unnecessary development projects such as constructing needless bridges as they increase siltation leading to dying rivers.”
She also enquired about the condition of roads and other development work, particularly in the villages of Tungipara, saying, “I want to develop my Tungipara constituency.”
Hasina was also apprised of the latest condition of some important development work in Tungipara municipality areas undertaken by the LGED.
The development work includes the construction of Sheikh Russell Children Park (completed), re-digging and beautification of Tungipara-Patgati Canal (completed), beautification of ponds of Tungipara upazila complex (completed), construction of Patgati Kitchen Market (ongoing), construction of Tungipara Kitchen Market (completed) and construction of multi-storey building (proposed), completion of a graveyard opposite to Sheikh Russell Children Park, reconstruction of a mosque at Tungipara Bazar (proposed), and construction of a new Tungipara bus stand (ongoing).
Comments