PM opens 100 highways in 50 districts
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked people to compare the development work done by other governments to that of the Awami League government.
"I expect that people of the country would at least consider how much development was done by those in power for nearly 30 years (1975-1996 and 2001-2009) and what the Awami League governments did," she said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of 100 highways at her office in the capital.
Hasina said the 100 highways are gifts to the nation in this month of victory.
She virtually opened a record number of 100 highways to traffic in 50 districts, within a month and a half after inaugurating 100 bridges in one day.
The new highways -- including national, regional and district highways -- are aimed to ensure a safe and uninterrupted road network as well as help reduce road accidents and travel time.
The Roads and Highways Department constructed or reconstructed the highways, whose combined length is 2,021.56km, under 48 projects at a cost of Tk 14,915 crore over the last two years.
The PM said her government opened 100 highways in a single day and earlier opened 100 bridges in a single day too. "Could anyone do that in the past? No. It is only the Awami League that can accomplish this."
"We are told that the Awami League government has destroyed the country … I don't know if people would believe those who say that the Awami League destroyed the country even after this [opening 100 highways and 100 bridges]. That is my question."
Hasina said her government transformed the country into Digital Bangladesh and now information, as well as misinformation, can be spread using digital platforms. The government believes in the development of people so that they can lead a decent life, she said.
"We want to ensure peace, development, and security of the people ... We are moving forward, facing many obstacles time and again. Bangladesh will continue to move forward."
Referring to her government's plan to transform "Digital Bangladesh" into "Smart Bangladesh" by 2041, the PM said everyone must acquire tech skills in a "Smart Bangladesh".
'DON'T TAKE LAW INTO OWN HANDS'
Hasina asked people not to attack motorists and not to take law into their own hands in case of any road accident.
She said no driver hits people intentionally. Instead of helping the victims, drivers flee the scene after accidents to escape mob beating, she said.
The PM said if anyone commits a crime, the person should be handed over to police. "The problem will not be solved if the driver is beaten to death."
Hasina asked all, including the administration, public representatives and teachers, to go for a massive campaign in creating public awareness to this end.
She also stressed the need for training drivers and their assistants and creating mass awareness about traffic rules.
The new highways include 32 of 653.66km in length in Dhaka division, 16 of 352.26km in Khulna, 14 of 258.90km in Chattogram, 15 of 203.95km in Rangpur, eight of 196.87km in Rajshahi, six of 142.48km in Mymensingh, four of 106.18km in Sylhet and four others of 107.26km in length in Barishal.
Of them, 99 highways were developed with government funds, while one -- the 70km Joydebpur (Gazipur)-Alenga (Tangail) four-lane highway with service lanes on both sides -- was constructed with foreign fund (Tk 3,205crore) and government fund (Tk 2,963.64 crore).
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke at the function moderated by PM's Principal Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah.
Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a presentation on the 100 new highways.
Out of the 22,476km road network under the RHD, there are 3,991km of national highways, 4,897km of regional highways and 13,588km of district roads.
The national highways connect the capital to divisional cities, sea ports, land ports and international highways. Regional highways connect district towns to river ports and land ports. District roads link district towns with upazilas or one upazila with another.
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