Another milestone

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday launched the construction of the country's first-ever underground metro rail, hailing it as another milestone in Bangladesh's journey towards progress under

her leadership, reports UNB.

"Another milestone has been set up in the development journey of Bangladesh. We've opened the construction work of underground metro rail," she said.

The premier was addressing a civic rally arranged at Purbachal on the outskirts of Dhaka city to mark the historic inauguration of construction work of Mass Rapid Transit Line-1 (MRT-1), the country's first-ever underground metro project.

She opened the construction work of the 31.241-km MRT Line-1, unveiling its inaugural plaque there in Rupganj under Narayanganj.

The MRT Line-1 having both underground and elevated facilities will be constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 525.61 billion by 2026.

Hasina said Bangladesh is marching towards prosperity at an indomitable space as per the slogan 'Bangladesh on the march towards prosperity,' which was announced in her party's 2018 election manifesto.

"We keep our promises one by one," she said, adding that her government implemented the Vision-2021 as per its commitment announced before the 2008 election as well as kept another commitment made in its 2018 election manifesto by construction of metro rail to ease traffic congestion. "If Awami League makes any promise, it will keep it," she said.

AL now gets votes winning hearts of the people through work and deeds: PM

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, said the BNP-Jamaat alliance secured only 30 seats out of 300 in the 2008 parliamentary election.

She said the people now vote for the Awami League as her government worked for the welfare of the people for so many years.

"We've ensured the well-being of the people. So, the people are voting for us. We're getting the trust and confidence of the people. We're getting votes, winning the hearts of the people through our work," she added.

Referring to Wednesday's parliamentary by-elections, she said 'Boat,' the electoral symbol of Awami League won in by-polls in Bogura and Chapainawabganj as well. The AL chief extended sincere thanks to those who voted for the boat.

The premier said no movement can harm the Awami League (AL) as long as the people are with it.

"No matter how strong movement they wage, we'll continue to work for the welfare of the people as long as the people are with us. You can keep trust that none will be able to do anything here," she said.

Talking about the MRT Line-1, the PM said the 20-km Airport-Kamalapur part would be quite sound-proof and safe metro service and its underground construction work would not cause suffering for the people and commuters.

The shifting of utility service lines would also not be required due to its construction works which would be done some 10-20 meters under the ground, she said.

Hasina said the government has a plan to construct three metro rail lines -- MRT Lines-1, 2 and 4 through Narayanganj district.

The feasibility studies of the proposed MRT Line 2 (Gabtoli-New Market-Signboard-Narayanganj Sadar) and MRT Line-4 (Kamalapur-Signboard-Madanpur of Narayanganj) still continue. The construction work of the two MRT Lines will be started after getting the feasibility study reports, she said.

"Purbachal would be a smart city. We want to build Narayanganj as a smart city too", she said, adding that the Narayanganj link road is being upgraded into a six-lane one.

The premier said metro rail would not pollute the environment as there would be no sound pollution caused by it.

Focusing on the current global high inflation caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and economic sanctions, she again urged all to exercise austerity in the use of electricity, furnace oil, water and other resources amid the crisis.

PM Hasina said the government would provide the subsidy to the agriculture and food production no matter how much it requires. But the subsidy to electricity mainly benefits the rich as they consume more than others

Citing that the production cost of electricity is much higher than its price, she said, "You will have to pay the production cost."

The PM asked the people to raise food production in the country and not keep even a single inch of land uncultivated as food shortages are seen throughout the world.

The first underground metro line will have two parts -- a 19.872-km part from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur (Airport route) and an around 11.37-km elevated line from Natun Bazar to Purbachal (Purbachal route).

The airport route includes 16.4-km underground with 12 stations, while the purbachal route includes seven stations.