Work starts this month defeating conspiracies: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that her government would start the construction of the 6.15km Padma bridge this month with the country's own resources “defeating all conspiracies”.
“The bridge would be open for traffic on completion of construction by 2018. We won't beg anyone for assistance...We will even try to complete the construction before the stipulated time [of four years],” said the premier, replying to lawmakers' queries.
In a written statement, Hasina said her government already had awarded the construction work of the bridge to China Major Bridge Engineering Company Ltd.
“The Chinese company submitted a Tk 12,133 crore bid for constructing the 6.15km bridge,” the statement said.
She said, “Many conspiracies were hatched to undermine her government politically over the Padma bridge issue.”
The premier alleged that the World Bank cancelled its proposed loan without any reason and for one person.
The premier said her government laid the foundation stone of the bridge in 2001 but the BNP-led government stopped the work. They even tried to change the bridge's location, she added.
Hasina said her grand alliance government took the move again after assuming office in 2009.
She said the nation had enough economic strength for building the bridge. “We have a reserve of more than $20 billion."
In a reply, the premier said the government had already allocated money for starting the bridge work. "The initial fund for constructing the bridge has been allocated in the budget. Besides, we have a healthy reserve.”