Referring to the recent announcement of Khaleda Zia that her party would introduce a new type of government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Sunday, said the opposition leader would indulge in corruption on this pretext. “The opposition leader will, in fact, find out a new way for corruption and run the country by opening a new Hawa Bhaban,” the premier said, while addressing a function to mark the inauguration of the 3.1-km-long Kuril flyover in the capital. She said the next general election will be conducted in a free and fair manner and her party would accept the people’s mandate.
Hasina urged the voters to cast their votes in favour of patriotic, honest and pro-development candidates. She said if people vote for corrupt people and terrorists, ignoring the patriots and honest candidates, “we have nothing to say”.
Hasina said votes belong to people and that they would exercise their franchise freely. “It’s their constitutional right,” she added. She mentioned that in the recently held city corporation elections, candidates of her party were defeated despite being the hopefuls, because the government did not try to win the polls through rigging.
Underscoring the need for the continuation of the government to finish its incomplete development works, Hasina sought the support of people to return to power. “We’re trying hard for the country’s overall development. The continuation of this government is a must for development,” she said., wondering whether people want to go back to the time of corruption and black money. Talking about the construction of Padma Bridge, the Premier said the tender for its construction work has been floated and the bridge would be built with the country’s own resources.
Recalling the widespread corruption by the BNP-Jamaat alliance government after 2011, Hasina said at that time the World Bank had stopped the funds for roads and bridges.
The Prime Minister said her government has taken various initiatives, including construction of flyovers, elevated expressways, ring roads, introduction of trains and waterways under the Strategic Transport Plan in the capital.
Hasina termed the new flyover as a new milestone in the development of Dhaka’s communication network and urged all to come forward along with the government to protect the environment of the capital.
She mentioned that this flyover is a new gateway to Dhaka city and hoped that it would allow fast communication with many parts of the adjacent areas, including Purbachal.
To turn Dhaka into a modern and congestion-free city, she said the Mirpur-Airport road flyover, Banani overpass and Link Road have already been thrown open to traffic.
Hasina added that construction work on Jatrabari Flyover is nearing completion, while that of the 26-km-long elevated expressway is in progress. She said many projects, including the Hatirjheel Project, have been implemented to increase facilities for city dwellers through planned urbanisation.
Referring to the “tremendous” success made in the power and energy sector, Hasina said power generation has risen to 6,675 MW from 3,200 MW in 2009, while gas production has increased remarkably during the last four and half years.
Posts and telecommunication minister advocate Shahara Khatun, state minister for housing and public works advocate Abdul Mannan Khan, local MP AKM Rahmatullah and Rajuk chairman engineer Mohammad Nurul Huda also spoke on the occasion.
The 8.9-metre wide and 14.6-metre high flyover has been constructed on Kuril Biswa Road with a hope that traffic congestion in adjoining areas will ease to a great extent. It comprises four sections providing uninterrupted connections to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Nikunja, Banani, Rampura and Purbachal areas.
Project Builders Limited and China Major Bridge Engineering Corporation jointly built the flyover at a cost of Tk. 306 crore provided by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
According to a Rajuk estimate of 2007, about 1,57,000 vehicles coming from the five aforementioned areas cross the Kuril intersection every day. At present, a level crossing at the intersection closes 98 times a day, halting traffic for eight hours and creating around one-km long tailbacks in five directions.
The flyover would help ensure uninterrupted movement of traffic, saving valuable time and fuel of commuters, according to Rajuk officials.
The present government approved the project, initially estimated to cost Tk. 153 crore, in March, 2010. It was scheduled to be opened to traffic in December, 2012. But the opening was deferred twice, in March and June, while the costs doubled which Rajuk blames on frequent hartals and failure to acquire land in time.
The flyover’s foundation was laid by former caretaker government chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed on December 17, 2008.
-With The Independent input
