PM opens 100 highways as ‘gift’ to the nation in month of victory

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the people on Wednesday to compare the development works done by other governments to that of the Awami League-led government, reports UNB.
"I expect that people of the country would at least consider how much development was done by those in power for nearly 30 years (1975-1996 and 2001-2009) and what the Awami League governments did," she said.
The premier was addressing the inaugural ceremony of 100 highways at her office in Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina opened a record number of 100 highways to traffic in 50 districts through a virtual platform, within a month and a half after inaugurating 100 bridges in a single day.
The new highways - which include national, regional and district highways - aim to ensure a safe and uninterrupted road network as well as help reduce road accidents and travel time.
The Roads and Highways Department under the Road Transport and Highways Division constructed or reconstructed the highways with a combined length of 2,021.56 km under 48 projects at an overall cost of Tk 149.15 billion (14,915 crore) in the last two years.
The PM said her government opened 100 highways in a single day and earlier opened 100 bridges in a single day too. "Could anyone do that in the past? No. It is only Awami League that can accomplish this," she said.
She said the 100 highways are gifts for the nation in this month of victory.
"We are told that the Awami League government has destroyed the country… I don't know if people would believe those who say that Awami League destroyed the country even after this (opening 100 highways and 100 bridges). That is my question," she said.
The premier said her government transformed the country into Digital Bangladesh and now information, as well as misinformation, can be spread using digital platforms. The government believes in the development of people so that they can lead a decent life, she said.
"People should decide what they want, comparing it by recalling that (past situation)," said Sheikh Hasina.
"We want to ensure peace, development, and security of the people of this country... We are moving forward, facing many obstacles time and again. Bangladesh will continue to move forward," she said.
Referring to her government's plan to transform Digital Bangladesh into Smart Bangladesh by 2041, the PM said everyone must acquire tech skills in a "Smart Bangladesh".
The prime minister asked people not to attack motor vehicle drivers and not to take law into their own hands in case of any road accident.
She said that no driver hits people intentionally. Instead of helping victims, the drivers flee the scene of the accident to escape mob-beating, she said.
She said if anyone commits a crime, the person should be handed over to police. "I would like to request you to not take the law into your own hands. The problem will not be solved if the driver is beaten to death," she added.
Sheikh Hasina asked all, including the administration, public representatives and teachers, to go for a massive campaign in creating public awareness in this regard.
She also put emphasis on training of drivers and their assistants, and creating mass awareness about traffic rules.
The new highways include 32 with a total length of 653.66 km in Dhaka division, 16 with total length of 352.26 km in Khulna division, 14 with 258.90 km in Chattogram division, 15 with 203.95 km in Rangpur, eight highways with 196.87 km in Rajshahi, six with 142.48 km in Mymensingh, four highways with 106.18 km in Sylhet and four highways with 107.26 km in Barishal division.
Of these, 99 highways were developed with government fund, while one - the 70km Joydebpur (Gazipur)-Alenga (Tangail) four-lane highway with service lanes on both sides - was constructed with foreign loans (Tk 3,205crore) and the government fund (Tk 2,963.64 crore).
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke at the function moderated by PM's Principal Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah.
Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a presentation on the 100 new highways.
The local beneficiaries and stakeholders of the development projects were connected to the function from Tangail and Khulna through virtual platforms.
Out of the 22,476 km road network under the RHD, there are 3,991 km national highways, 4,897 km regional highways and 13,588 km district roads.
The national highways connect the capital to divisional cities, sea ports, land ports and international highways. Regional highways connect district towns to river ports and land ports. District roads link district towns with upazilas or one upazila with another.
On November 7, the PM inaugurated 100 newly constructed bridges with a total length of 5,494 meters, built at a cost of Tk 8,79.61 crore, in 25 districts of the country.