Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the completion of Padma Bridge construction with own funds has taken the nation to a dignified position in the world as it changed the mindset of the international community towards the country.
“Now the people of Bangladesh can move with pride in the international arena after the decision of Padma Bridge construction with our own funds and after the construction of this bridge. It is the biggest achievement,” she said.
The premier said this while addressing a civic rally here in Munshiganj on the occasion of the closing ceremony of Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project.
She said the mindset of those who earlier used to show often high-handedness and attitude that Bangladesh can’t move without them has changed.
“This Padma Bridge is the structure of our pride……Now the people honour Bangladesh in the international arena, when its name is heard. The people of Bangladesh have been elevated to a dignified position,” she added.
The PM expressed her firm conviction that the country would be transformed as a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh through socio-economic development by 2041.
“We’ll continue to move forward at an irresistible pace overcoming all obstacles, no matter how many barriers come in the way. We’ll take Bangladesh forward by implementing the ideals of the Father of the Nation (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman),” she said.
The Prime Minister said the Padma Bridge has opened the door for socio-economic advancement of the southwestern region of the country.
The independence of Bangladesh that had been earned with the blood of tens of thousands of martyrs has not gone in vain, rather it has become a success, she said.
Noting that her government formulated the Perspective Plan 2021-2041 and the Delta Plan-2100, she said Bangladesh has already signed an agreement with the Netherlands for implementation of the Delta Plan, that she expects to be completed. `
The prime minister expressed her gratitude and extended sincere thanks to consultants, workers and all others who were engaged in the implementation of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project as well as the local families who lost their houses and lands for the project.
She recalled the contribution of the late Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury, the country's greatest civil engineer who served as the chair of an international committee of experts formed to flag any concerns they may come across in , and former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, who had to lose his place in the cabinet due to the fallout with the World Bank over the flagship infrastructure project witnessed in this land.
Criticizing the role of Dr Muhammad Yunus behind the withdrawal of the Word Bank’s funds from the Padma Bridge Project, Sheikh Hasina said she never got the answer as to why a Nobel Laureate, who has name and fame, so hankered after a small post like Managing Director of a bank.
She said now the people can know what honey was in the MD post when they see the labourers filed lawsuits and cases are lodged for tax evasion and corruption (against Dr Yunus).
“More information will come out (regarding corruption of Dr Yunus), when the auditor's report on Grameen Bank is revealed,” said the PM.
On her arrival at the venue at 3:50pm, Sheikh Hasina was received by Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
Local artists presented a choreographed performance set to the theme song of Padma Bridge, history and heritages of old Bikrampur under the supervision of Munshiganj District Administration at the outset of the closing ceremony arranged by the Bridges Division.
Obaidul Quader presided over the reception, while former Cabinet Secretary and also former Bridge Division Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, Bridges Division Senior Secretary Monjur Hossain and Project Director Shafiqul Islam spoke on the occasion.
The Bridges Division Secretary, in his welcome speech, said the Padma Bridge project completed on June 30 last at the cost of Tk 30,770.13 crore, clocking just Tk 1,835.28 crore from the cost of Tk 32,605.51 crore, estimated in the revised development project proposal (RDPP).
In the event, a documentary on the Padma Bridge was screened focusing on the country’s largest bridge as a symbol of pride and bearer of dignity for the nation.
The Road Transport and Bridges Minister presented a memento of Padma Bridge to PM Hasina.
On June 25, 2022, the prime minister inaugurated the 6.15-km Padma Bridge constructed with own funds over the mighty Padma River, which directly connects the country’s 21 southern and south-western districts with the capital.
In the first two years from June 26, 2022 to June 29,2024, a total of Tk 1,661 crore was collected in tolls, from almost 1.26 crore transport vehicles that used the bridge during this period.
In 1998, the Awami League government had for the first time taken the initiative to bridge the mighty Padma river. Before leaving office during that term, PM Hasina laid the foundation stone of the Padma Bridge on July 4, 2001. She inaugurated the construction of the main bridge on December 12, 2015.
The Padma Bridge is expected to last more than 100 years, with its construction cost to be recovered in the next 35 years.
The large eye-catching bridge structure is playing an immense role in the multifaceted development of the country and also particularly the underdeveloped south and south-western region.