Keep country free from terrorism, militancy: PM:Daily Sun

Sheikh Hasina Chittagong: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday sought cooperation from all, including the people of Chittagong, in keeping the country free from all sorts of terrorism and militancy, reports UNB. “We’ve built a terrorism- and militancy-free Bangladesh, and want tocontinue this atmosphere in the coming days,” she said. The Prime Minister was speaking after inaugurating the cons
truction work on a 5,200-metre-long and 15-metre wide Muradpur-Lalkhan Bazar Flyover on the CDA Avenue. She said the government wants to keep up democracy and development in the country, and work for the welfare of people. “We don’t want terrorism and militancy… we want the continuation of democracy and development, and work for people’s welfare for which we want your support.” Hasina said the prime aim of her government is to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh with the Liberation War spirit where there will be no poverty and hunger. Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) is constructing the flyover at an estimated cost of over Tk 4.62 billion. Of the total cost, Tk 4.372 billion will come from the government, while Tk 250 million from the CDA. The construction work on the flyover having a 1.7-km long two-lane loop that would land on the city’s Bayezid Bostami Road is expected to be completed by June, 2016. DDC, SARM, DPM-JV, a consulting firm, made the drawing and design of the fly over. It also conducted a feasibility study on the project. The revised project was later approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on October 1, 2013. The proposed project addresses the middle portion of the CDA Avenue to mitigate traffic congestion on the route. The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China Bangladesh joint venture construction company ‘Max-Renken JV’ for constructing a 5.2-km long flyover from the city’s Muradpur to Lalkhan Bazar areas, with one end at Muradpur and the other at Lalkhan Bazar opposite to Jamiatul Falah Mosque. About academic atmosphere in educational institutions across the country, Sheikh Hasina said the government is committed to ensuring peace in all institutions to maintain the standard of education. Recalling her pledge to develop Chittagong Port City, she briefly described various development activities taken by her government since 2009 for the development of the port city. Hasina also mentioned the construction of flyovers in Chittagong, the second Karnaphuli Bridge, construction of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway and double-lane rail tracks, transforming Chittagong Airport into an international one and construction of Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar rail line. On completion of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway, Hasina said the government has a plan to upgrade it to a six-lane one for the smooth plying of vehicles. The Prime Minister said the double-lane Dhaka-Chittagong rail tracks would be of dual gauge ones. Terming Chittagong as the country’s commercial capital, she said her government has given utmost importance to development of the port city alongside other regions of the country. About the ongoing gas crisis in Chittagong, Hasina said it will b mitigated on completion of the construction of Matarbari coal-based power plant and LNG terminal. She also said power production in the country has marked a significant rise due to pragmatic steps of the government, giving a boost to food grain output. “As we’re producing enough food grains, we’ve decided to export rice,” she said. Ministers, local MPs and leaders were present at the programme.