Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the next national election is drawing nearer and the Election Commission is likely to announce the polls schedule in a day or two.   “Since we’ve been able to establish the voting rights of the people, they will cast their votes freely,” she said in a confident voice.     The premier was speaking at a function marking the inauguration of 10,041 infrastructures (Involving the total cost of nearly Tk 100,000 crore) throughout the country under 157 projects of 24 ministries and divisions through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban. The beneficiaries were connected to the event virtually from a total of 101 places, including 64 DC offices throughout the country. The total estimated cost of the projects is Tk 97,471 crore.  Noting that Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country, she said the continuation of the government is essential to sustain this momentum. Without mentioning BNP she took a swipe at the opposition party saying it doesn't want to join the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections, fearing its performance could be as bad as in the 2008 polls. In the 2008 election, Awami League gained a landslide victory with 233 seats out of 300 constituencies, while BNP won only 30 seats. “Those who secured only 30 seats will have no desire to run the election.  They are attempting to invite sufferings for the people of Bangladesh creating an abnormal situation by foiling the election,” she said, not mentioning the name of BNP. In 2008 vote BNP secured 29 seats and later added another in a bye-election. Read: Bangladesh will surely overcome arson violence: PM Hasina She said AL also won the 2014 election overcoming arson violence and attempts to foil the vote. We’ve come (to power) being elected by the people time and again. Awami League never formed the government by any other means but the democratic way. All the electoral reforms – from enactment of a law over constitution of election commission to introduction of transparent ballot boxes— were done following Awami League’s proposals only to ensure the people’s voting rights. PM Hasina said her government started the development of Bangladesh from the grassroots level so that the people can enjoy urban facilities even staying in villages.    Read: PM Hasina opens Southeast Asia’s largest urea fertiliser factory in Narsingdi The PM said the blockade programme and arson violence has been launched when the people are living in peace and the country witnessing its rapid progress.  The normal life of the people and the academic activities of the students particularly those who are sitting for the annual examinations are hampered due to the arson violence, she said. Hasina said her government has increased the literacy rate to 76.6 percent now from only 45 percent during the BNP government of 2001-6. She wished that good sense would prevail upon them and they would stop this destruction and arson violence. The prime minister, however, asked the countrymen to resist this arson violence for the sake of protecting their own lives and assets. Read: Produce leprosy drugs locally: PM Hasina to pharmaceutical companies Among the infrastructures, the prime minister unveiled foundation stones of or opened 4,644 infrastructures under different projects as well as distributed 5,397 houses, constructed under Ashrayan-2 project at 132 upazilas in 46 districts, among landless and homeless families across the country. At the event, the PM declared more 11 districts and 60 upazilas as landless and homeless-free units following the distribution of the Ashrayan houses on Tuesday. A total of 32 districts and 394 upazilas have so far become landless and homeless family-free ones. The 4,644 infrastructures include 2023 Government Primary School Bhabans, 1800 Madrasha Bhaban, 299 Academic Bhaban and 40 Administrative Bhaban under Technical and Madrasha Education Division, 952 Academic cum Research Bhaban under Secondary and Higher Education Division, 12 student dormitory Bhaban, 222 disaster management centres, 128 chief judicial magistrate Bhaban, sub-register office Bhaban in 46 districts, 110 flood shelter centres, 25 Mujib Killa, 20 bridges, 22 complexes under the Social  Welfare Ministry, 34 Bhaban under the Health Services Division, 7 student mess, 16 dormitories, 23 ICU, 79 community clinic, 46 Medical College Bhaban, 24 Nursing College Bhaban, tennis infrastructural development in 25 districts, 13 Kriya (Sports) School Bhaban, 26 BKSP Training Centre, 20 child daycare centres, 38 SPM with double pipelines, constructions of 10 gas pipelines, installment of 26 refining units , 24 mine digging, 140 gas plant purchase and installment, construction of 33 pipelines, 18 infrastructures of Sheikh Hasina Textile Engineering College, 11 Textile Institute infrastructures, 40 technical training centre and 14 Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre Bhaban. PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the event.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (November 12, 2023) opened newly built Ghorashal-Palash Urea Fertilizer Factory (GPUFF), the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, which will reduce the country’s dependence on fertiliser imports and create jobs. The annual production capacity of the environment friendly and modern fertiliser factory in Narsingdi is some 1 million metric tons, capable of producing 2,800 metric tons of urea daily. the local demand for urea fertilizer is some 26 lakh metric tons annually. If this newly built plant goes in full swing production, some 20 lakh metric tons of urea will be produced yearly in the country.So, the factory will play a leading role in meeting the growing demand of urea fertiliser, ensuring supply of fertilizers to farmers at affordable prices, saving foreign currency by reducing imports and creating employment opportunities. Bangladeshi farmers need to use fertilizer and water efficiently: Experts Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has implemented the 'Ghorashal Polash Urea Fertilizer Project' on 110 acres of land at a cost of around Tk 15,500 crore. The construction work for the project began on March 10, 2020. Out of the total project cost, TK 4,580.21 crore came from the government exchequer while Tk 10,920 crore from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFG Limited (MUFG) and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) as commercial loan. As per the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2014, the industries ministry took an initiative to set up a new granular urea fertiliser factory at the place of the existing two fertiliser factories - Urea Fertiliser Factory Limited (UFFL) and Polash Urea Fertilizer Factory Limited (PUFFL) at Ghorashal under Palash upazila in Narsingdi district. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited (MHI) and China National Chemical Engineering No 7 Construction Co Ltd (CC-7) jointly constructed the factory, which will have an annual production capacity of 9.24 lakh metric tons. The daily production capacity of the new factory is about three times higher than that of the earlier two fertiliser factories. GPUFF is the first fertiliser factory in Bangladesh where the environmental pollutant Carbon-Di-Oxide (CO2) will be captured from the primary reformer flue gas and the production of urea fertilizer will be increased (about 10pc ) by using the captured CO2. The prime minister released a commemorative postage stamp, marking the inauguration of the factory. Earlier, PM Sheikh Hasina inspected the factory. Fertilizer price increased by 105% in Bangladesh since Russia-Ukraine war: Report

Dhaka Metro Rail's Agargaon to Motijheel part will be opened to public on November 5, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate it on November 4, metro rail authorities said today (November 01, 2023). Initially, metro rail on Agargaon-Motijheel section will operate for four hours with three stations: Farmegate, Bangladesh Secretariat and Motijheel. Rest of the stations will be opened in phases, said M.A.N. Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), while talking to reporters today at Probashi Kallyan Bhaban. Inauguration of Agargaon- Motijheel section of Metro Rail postponed again; next date Nov 4 The prime minister is likely to inaugurate the movement of the train and will travel to Motijheel by metro rail on the inauguration day. She is expected to inaugurate the construction work of the MRT Northern route too, he said. Dhaka Metro Rail service to remain shut on Oct 14, 15 Dhaka commuters can travel from Agargaon to Motijheel between 7:30 am and 11:30 am from November 5. Inauguration of Agargaon- Motijheel section of Metro Rail postponed to Oct 29

In another development milestone, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (October 19, 2023) opened 150 newly constructed bridges in 39 districts and 14 newly constructed overpasses of the Roads and Highways Department simultaneously. She also unveiled the foundation stones of 1,100-metre Kewatkhali Bridge and 1,471-metre Rahmatpur Bridge over Brahmaputra river in Mymensingh, while opened newly constructed DTCA Bhaban for Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, BRTA Automated Motor Vehicle Fitness Test Centre of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, BRTC Bus Depot and Training Centre of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation as well as conferred the financial assistance to the road accident victims. Also read: PM Hasina denounces BNP as a terrorist party that kills people The premier inaugurated these infrastructures through a virtual platform from a programme in Sarak Bhaban in the city’s Tejgaon area. The audiences were also connected virtually from Mymensingh Circuit House Ground and BRTA Office in Mirpur. She also unveiled a mural of Bangabandhu in Sarak Bhaban, the office of Roads and Highways Department. In less than one year since the simultaneous inauguration of 100 bridges across the country, the prime minister opened 150 more bridges -- 40 bridges in Mymensingh Division, 32 in Dhaka Division, 27 in Chattogram, 22 in Rajshahi, 12 in Khulna, eight each in Barishal and Rangpur and one in Sylhet division. Also read: PM Hasina declares state mourning on Saturday for Palestinians killed by Israel Total length of the 150 bridges is 9.45km and the total length of 14 overpasses — eight in Rajshahi Division and six in Rangpur Division — is 689 meters. The 1100-metre Kewatkhali bridge, which is set to be the largest steel-arch bridge in the country, will be constructed at a cost of Tk 3263.63 crore, while the 1471-metre Rahmatpur bridge will be constructed at a cost of Tk 358 crore by June 2025. Stop race to overtake on roads: PM Addressing the function, the prime minister asked the drivers of motor vehicles to stop abnormal races on roads and tendency to overtake others unnecessarily, for preventing accidents and thus protecting the lives of the people. “We’ll have to stop the unusual competitions that take place on roads and the tendency to overtake,” she said. She stressed the need for imparting proper training to the drivers to check the unusual race on the road and change their mindset to avoid the unnecessary race. “They (drivers) should be given psychological education that it (the race) would invite damage not only to the people rather the drivers may lose their own lives as well,” she added. Hasina asked all to follow speed limit and traffic rules and allow the drivers to take proper rest. She focused on her government’s success over improvement of the country’s road connectivity, including development of highways and construction of bridges during her three consecutive regimes since 2009. On 7 November 2022, PM Hasina opened the 100 bridges in 25 districts. The total length of the bridges was 5.5km. Also read: PM Hasina urges OIC neighbours to resolve their problems through dialogue Among the 150 bridges constructed with a total cost of Tk 3,287 crore, the notable ones include Garakola and Nayarhat bridges in Gopalganj, Chapair bridge in Gazipur, Titas bridge in Brahmanbaria, Muhuri bridge in Feni, Matamuhuri bridge in Cox’s Bazar, Machrong bridge in Barishal, Tulalampur bridge in Narail, Simakhali bridge in Magura, Arialkhar bridge in Bogura, Bahagili bridge in Nilphamari, Chatak-Surma bridge in Sylhet. Eight of the new overpasses were constructed on Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur Highway. The premier opened the distribution of financial assistance among the road accident victims and family members. A total of 162 victims or family members –-42 persons from Dhaka Division, 39 from Chattogram, 26 from Rajshahi, 18 from Rangpur, 11 from Khulna, 10 each from Mymensingh and Sylhet and six from Barishal division—received the financial assistance in the function. The distribution of the financial assistance among the road crash victims will continue. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Rowshan Ara Mannan and Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri spoke at the event, while Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Syed Moinul Hasan delivered the welcome speech.

The newly built 130-km Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline for carrying diesel or petroleum is ready for inauguration. According to official sources, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to formally inaugurate the 131.57-km cross-border pipeline through video conferencing on March 18. Named 'Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline', some 126.57-km of the pipeline lies in Bangladesh while the remaining 5-km was installed in India. “All the necessary works of the pipeline project were completed and it’s now ready for inauguration,” ABM Azad, chairman of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), told UNB. The BPC, the state marketing agency of petroleum fuel under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, has been implementing the project under a 15-year government’s deal with India to annually import 250,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes of diesel from the neighbouring country through the cross-border pipeline. Also Read: India-Bangladesh ‘friendship’ pipeline in Dinajpur to ensure energy security: Nasrul Hamid The deal signed was on the basis of an unsolicited offer in 2017 following the approval of the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee on August 23. Bangladesh annually needs to import 6.6 million MT-7.7 million MT of petroleum to meet its demand. According to official documents seen by UNB, the whole consignment of petroleum will come through the cross-border pipeline from India's Numaligarh refinery, located in Golaghat in north-eastern Indian state of Assam, while Bangladesh will receive it at Parbatipur petroleum fuel depot in north-western district of Dinajpur. Official sources said though most part of the proposed pipeline is to be laid in the Bangladesh part, the Indian government has provided about Rs 303 crore as a loan under Indian line of credit (LOC) to build the Bangladesh portion. Bangladesh will operate the pipeline in its part while India will operate the pipeline in its portion. Officials said Dhaka had to first sign a 'Sales & Purchase Agreement' (SPA) to receive New Delhi’s financial support as a pre-condition. The documents show that the 'premium' or transportation cost of the petroleum was fixed at $5.5 per barrel of diesel and the price of petroleum will be fixed on the basis of price on the international oil market. The officials said when such a deal was signed Bangladesh was spending $4.4 per barrel to import diesel from overseas through vessels. The documents also reveal that Bangladesh will annually import 250,000 metric tonnes in the first three years, 300,000 mt annually in the 4th to 6th years, 350,000 mt annually in the 7th to 10th years and 400,000 mt annually from the 11th to 15th years. Currently, Bangladesh has been importing 22,000 MT of diesel per month through railway wagons.   BPC chairman ABM Azad said Bangladesh will benefit from such a pipeline in multiple ways and the deal could be extended for a further period of time.  He said the premium is cheaper compared with import cost from overseas as Bangladesh has to spend $12 per barrel as premium to import diesel. He said that such petroleum imports from India through cross-border pipelines will help create a stock of petroleum in the northern region to meet the growing demands in that part of the country.  Recently, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid visited the pipeline project and appreciated the officials for completing it ahead of schedule. He said this pipeline will help increase fuel supply by 29,000 MT in the 16 districts of the country’s northern region.     

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate 30 projects and lay the foundation stones of four others in Chattogram on Sunday. The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of the projects alongside joining a rally organised  by Awami League’s Chattogram North and South district units at the historical Railway Polo Ground  in the city. Earlier on March 28, 2012, PM Hasina had delivered a speech as the chief guest at a grand rally of the 14-party alliance at the same venue, which means she is returning to address a rally once again after 10 years. Read: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures tomorrow Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram District Administration and an Executive Magistrate, confirmed the matter. The 30 projects to be inaugurated include many newly built academic buildings of educational institutions, while the four projects the foundation stones of which will be laid are-construction of jetties and necessary infrastructures in Sandwip and Mirsarai, modernisation of Bangladesh Marine Academy in Anwara, construction of a United Nations Green Field with modern amenities at Panchlaish residential area of Chattogram city and construction of a building for Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).   

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday inaugurated the upgrading of the 12km Kumargaon-Badaghat-Airport road into four lanes to ease traffic jams and make commuting easier in Sylhet city. The project would reduce traffic congestion and establish road connectivity between Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Osmani International Airport once it is implemented. Also, traffic bottlenecks in the city would be reduced by constructing alternative roads for trucks and other heavy vehicles plying from Bholaganj to Sylhet. Read: Dhaka, Tokyo ties to be deepened through PM's visit: FM In a video message, the minister said the two-lane road needed to be expanded into four lanes due to heavy traffic movement. "Those living in Ambarkhana, Subidbazar, and Choukidighi areas have to face a lot of trouble due to the movement of trucks carrying stones on the road." "The project will cost around Tk728 crore and end by June 2024. Also, 24 culverts and four bridges will be built to prevent waterlogging on the road during the monsoon," he added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures. She will formally inaugurate the Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone, connecting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) will hold the programme on the occasion of the golden jubilee of country’s independence. BEZA Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon will deliver the welcome speech, according to a press release from Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone. A video documentary on the activities of the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority will be screened at the programme. Read: PM invites Singapore investors to special economic zones, emphasises agro-processing Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone is in Badalpura and Shah Mirpur mauza, at the south of Karnaphuli river. It was established in March last year by one of the largest companies of the country, Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd., taking land from BEZA. The World Bank has provided a soft loan of Tk 800 crore for the drydock construction cost. This drydock is 285 meters long and 56 meters wide with a draft of 14 metres. It is possible to build and repair ships weighing 100,000 tons at the dock. Construction of another drydock at a cost of Tk 1200 crore is also in progress now. Construction of two jetties under Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone at Anwara on the south bank of Karnaphuli river has already been completed. Import cargo ships have started arriving at the jetty and loading-unloading activities are going on regularly. This is playing a helpful role in reducing congestion and productivity of cargo ships of Chittagong port. Foreign currency is being saved due to reduction in wait time of ships, especially at outer anchorage. Under the said economic zone, 20.98 acres of land will be taken lease by BEZA for the construction of two more jetties and container terminals, and two more jetties will be constructed on Karnaphuli Ship Builders' own land. The project inauguration and foundation stone laying will be held simultaneously from a total of 8 venues. Read: Expedite implementation of Kuwait’s proposed petroleum refinery in Bangladesh: PM The venues are: Ganabhaban, Dhaka; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsrai, Chattogram; Srihatta Economic Zone in MoulviBazar; Karnaphuli Drydock SEZ in Anwara, Chattogram; Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Sonargaon, Narayanganj; Jamalpur Economic Zone in Jamalpur Sadar; Sabrang Tourism Park in Cox's Bazar; and Hossaindi Economic Zone in Gazaria, Munshiganj. The event will conclude with an exchange of views with investors of the last economic zone. Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd. has already built 1200 ships and boats, repaired about 800 ships and built 50 dredgers and handed them over to the government.

The inaugural program of the Bangabandhu 7th President Cup Fencing Championship was held on Tuesday at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur 10, Dhaka. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest. It was presided over by Bangladesh Fencing Federation (BFF) President Shoeb Chowdhury. The program was anchored by Bangladesh Fencing Federation Joint General Secretary Rezaur Rahman Sinha. Shoeb Chowdhury paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “Bangladeshi fencers have retained their spirit and rhythm despite the turbulent time the world is going through at this moment because of the Russia-Ukraine War,” he said. Read more: FM inaugurates Bangabandhu Gold Cup football tournament in Sylhet  Shoeb Chowdhury applauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for supporting the expansion of sports across Bangladesh. He also thanked State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell for upgrading Bangladesh Fencing Association to Bangladesh Fencing Federation. Bangabandhu Chair and Bangladesh Bank’s former Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman gave the keynote speech at the event.  He assured his listeners that Bangladesh’s economy stands on a firm foothold and urged everyone not to trust rumours. Special Guest Lt. General (Retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled said that leadership is a vital thing. Bangabandhu’s unflinching leadership freed Bangladesh from Pakistan,  he stated. Read more: Bangabandhu Gold Cup: Bangladesh off to good start, beat Laos 1-0 BFF General Secretary Selim Omrao Khan gave the welcome speech. BFF Vice President Mohiuddin Ahmed and Vice President Abdul Mabud PPM also spoke on the occasion.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the commercial operations of 14 industrial units and lay the foundation stones for the infrastructures development of 29 more factories inside the economic zones on Wednesday. Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Shaikh Yusuf Harun informed this while addressing a view-exchange meeting organized jointly by the BEZA and the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) on Sunday. Among them, commercial operations of four industries at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) will open for commercial operation. These are Asian Paints of India, Nippon of Japan, McDonald of Bangladesh, and TK Group’s associate Samuda Construction Limited. The BSMSN was constructed over an area of 30,000 acres of land in Mirsarai and Sitakunda Upazilas of Chattogram and Sonagazi upazila of Feni. The factory of Double Glazing would also be inaugurated at Srihotto Economic Zone on the day. Besides, the commercial operation of some nine industrial units in the private Economic Zones would also be inaugurated. Among them the country’s biggest PVC factory. Read: EPZs saw all-time high export, investment, job growth in FY22: Bepza In order to go into commercial operation, some $967.73 million has already been invested in some 14 factories while the concerned industry owners informed that they have plans to invest $331.27 million more in those factories. Harun informed that the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stones of some 29 factories which have already attracted an investment of $610 million, while $1.9 billion more would be invested in those factories. These industries have already created employment opportunities for some 6,407 people, while another 38,658 jobs would be created in those factories. The Project Director of the BSMSN Abdullah Al Mahmud Faruk made a Powerpoint presentation on the overall operations and progress of its activities in the function. Presided over by ERF President Sharmeen Rinvy, BEZA General Manager (Administration) Hasan Arif, and other high officials were present among others. ERF general secretary SM Rashidul Islam moderated the view-exchange meeting.