Awami League has pledged to undertake new projects to accelerate the pace of the country's economy. The manifesto with the slogan ““Smart Bangladesh: Visible Development, Increased Employment” was announced by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today at the Pan Pacific Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka ahead of the 12th National Parliamentary Election slated for January 7, 2024. The manifesto of Awami League states that mega projects are crucial for achieving high growth rates. The biggest obstacles in the path of the country's development were the lack of necessary infrastructure in various economic sectors, including roads, electricity and energy, and ports. With this goal in mind, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has undertaken and implemented several major projects (mega projects) in three terms. It is hoped that these projects, including the Padma Bridge – a symbol of national pride and glory – will inject the expected momentum into development. The manifesto mentions that during the tenure of the Awami League government, many significant projects have been initiated. On June 25, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the country's largest bridge, funded by own resources. The Padma Bridge has created a safe, reliable, sustainable, and integrated system for unhindered communication across the country. This bridge will be part of the Asian Highway, opening new horizons for communication among South Asian countries. It is stated that the inauguration of the railway linked to the Padma Multipurpose Bridge on October 10, 2023, has brought many districts of the southern region under rail connectivity with Dhaka. PM Hasina unveils AL election manifesto promising dev, peace, prosperity The manifesto also says that the Dhaka Metro Rail is a step towards building a smart Bangladesh. It will not only free the citizens of Dhaka from unbearable traffic congestion but also reduce air and noise pollution in the capital. The ease of the transportation system will increase economic dynamism, and the metro rail will save working hours for people. It is mentioned that the construction of a 3.32 km tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, connecting Patenga with Anwara, has transformed the Port City into a “One Way, Two Town” model. The manifesto notes that the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on October 7, 2023, has opened a new horizon in air communication. On September 2, 2023, with the inauguration of the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Bangladesh entered the world of elevated expressways. On November 11, 2023, the channel of the Matarbari deep-sea port and the foundation stone of the first terminal were inaugurated. Once operational, this port will allow both container and cargo ships to dock simultaneously. Voter turnout will be satisfactory despite intimidation: Quader The manifesto states that on November 11, 2023, the much-awaited 102 km railway line from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar was inaugurated. This railway line will connect Bangladesh with the Trans-Asian Railway corridor and transform Cox's Bazar into a smart city. It was mentioned that on October 10, 2021, and October 18, 2022, the first and second units' nuclear reactor pressure vessels at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant were inaugurated, earning Bangladesh the honor of becoming the 33rd member of the nuclear club. The manifesto notes that on September 6, 2022, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Rampal coal-based power plant, which has a production capacity of 1,320 megawatts. In August 2018, Bangladesh began supplying gas to the national grid from the country's first LNG terminal, followed by the commencement of the second LNG terminal in April 2019. Each terminal at Maheshkhali's LNG floating storage has a daily regasification capacity of 50 crore cubic feet. The manifesto states that Payra Seaport, the country's third port, has been established in Patuakhali. Due to infrastructural development, the first container ship anchored at the port on August 13, 2016. The Awami League's manifesto promises that, considering financial management, some expensive projects have been suspended, which will be reconsidered and implemented as appropriate. The consideration and adoption of economically feasible new projects will continue. Food for All: AL Manifesto Emphasizes Agricultural Development for a Hunger-Free Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday urged the global community to end the Russia-Ukraine war, withdraw sanctions and allow people, who have nothing to do with the war, to have a shot at a better life. “I urge people of the world, this war must be stopped, sanctions have to be withdrawn, people need to have a scope to live their lives,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while inaugurating some development projects, including capital dredging at Payra Port, aiming to equip it with better facilities for smooth operations. The Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the development projects from her official residence Ganabhaban. Other inaugurated projects included eight ships and vessels, first terminal, construction of a six-lane approach road and a bridge at Payra Port. Read: Power flow set up from Payra plant to Rampal sub-station. The PM said that the entire world, including developed countries, are facing acute energy and electricity crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war. “We are facing the impact too. Prices of everything shot up suddenly due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions,” she said. The masses are bearing the brunt, Hasina observed. “They are in pain. I don’t know who is making profit… may be those who produce and trade arms, but general people, not only in Bangladesh but also around the world, are suffering a lot,” she said. The Prime Minister briefly described the projects initiated for development of the naval routes and said that Bangladesh’s economy would be more vibrant, stronger and developed once the measures taken are completed. She said the government has been developing roads, railway, air and waterways but the priority is developing the naval routes across the country to ensure transportation of goods at the cheapest rate. She stressed the need for dredging the naval routes every year, after their capital dredging, to ensure navigability. said her government is arranging dredgers for every seaport, as maintenance dredging is required every year to ensure navigability. Read: Stay united to take Bangladesh forward: PM urges after dedicating Payra plant as her Ramadan, Eid gift The PM said the government wanted to connect the seaport with north Bengal and it can also connect Assam of India and Bhutan. In this connection, she said that her government had already allowed India, Nepal and Bhutan to use Mongla and Chattogram seaports. She said the Payra Port has special importance as it is situated in between Mongla and Chattogram ports. Payra Port has so far earned revenues worth over Tk 600 crore since operations started. Sheikh Hasina said she had to face opposition from many when she wanted to establish the Payra Port. The claim was that it would not be viable. Read ‘No Hawa Bhaban and development wing at PMO to share your profits with.’ She said that after taking office, she took every measure following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She quoted Bangabandhu as saying that socio-economic development of Bangladesh would happen due to its geographical position. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Shipping Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal and Chairman of the Payra Port Authority Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail also spoke at the event. A documentary on the development of the Payra Port was screened at the programme.