Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday opened the much-desired "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur. The construction of the 1,493-metre bridge has materialized the dream of millions of people of the country's southwestern region, establishing the uninterrupted road connectivity between Khulna Division and Barishal Division. The premier opened the bridge joining a function through a virtual platform from her office here in the capital. Read: PM’s India Visit: Bilateral instruments on water management, defence, railway likely to be signed The construction work of the bridge was started on November 1 in 2018. The Roads and Highways Department constructed the bridge at a cost of Tk 894.08 crore. The Chinese government provided Tk 654.80 crore as project assistance for the bridge while Bangladesh government shared Tk 239.80 crore. The bridge also established the road connectivity between Pirojpur and Dhaka. It also helped establish the direct road connectivity among Kuakata Sea beach, Payra deep sea port,  Mongla sea port and the country's largest land port Benapole. Read: Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming also spoke at the opening ceremony conducted by PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus. Later, the premier exchanged views with the beneficiaries who rallied  on the two sides of the bridges. Fisheries and Livestock Minister, also Pirojpur-1 MP, SM Rezaul Karim was present at a rally at the west bank of the bridge, while Pirojpur-2 MP Anwar Hossain Manju was present at another rally at its east bank. Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a power-point presentation over the newly constructed bridge.