RANGPUR, Jan 2 (BSS): Implementation of massive development works during the past nine years has speeded up advancement of Rangpur with improvement in infrastructures, communication networks and socioeconomic conditions of the common people.
Officials said the government has undertaken development works here for implementation at the cost of over Tk 30.06 billion (Tk 3,060 crore) during the period.
The Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) has implemented development projects at Tk 6.40 billion (Tk 640 crore) sustainably improving communication networks, environment and socioeconomic conditions of common people during past nine years.
'The major works include construction of 778 kilometres (km) roads, 2,565-metre bridges and culverts, nine haats and bazars, four upazila complexes, 22 union parishad complexes and seven Upazila Muktijoddha Complexes," LGED's Executive Engineer Akhter Hossain said.
The Public Works Division (PWD) has implemented some 49 projects and continues implementation of many others at over Tk 6.0 billion (Tk 600-crore) improving infrastructural facilities during past nine years.
"The major projects include construction of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Building, Marine Academy, Textile Institute, Shilpakala Academy Bhaban, Nursing College, ICU at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, divisional headquarters and two technical training centres," said Executive Engineer of PWD Latiful Islam.
The Roads and Highways Division (RHD) has constructed four major bridges, 65.20 km roads and 16.24 km four-lane roads at Tk 3.60 billion (Tk 360 crore) in Rangpur in nine years.
"The major projects include constructions of the 750-metre Teesta Road Bridge, 126 m Jamuneswari Bridge, 93.02 m Langolerhat Bridge and 303.32 m Dr Wazed Miah Bridge," Executive Engineer of RHD Sajidur Rahman said.
Executive Engineer of Water Development Board Mahbubur Rahman said construction of 20.76 km embankments, 181 km irrigation infrastructures and digging of 20 km riverbeds and other works have been completed here at Tk 703 million (7.30 crore) in nine years.
Executive Engineer of Public Health and Engineering Department Mahbubul Alam Khan said construction of 4,823 water sources, 58.50 km water supply lines, other works and distribution of 11,885 sanitary latrines have been completed at Tk 514.6 million (Tk 51.46 crore) in nine years.
The Health Engineering Department (HED) has implemented 44 projects at Tk 584 million (Tk 58.40 crore) in nine years improving health service facilities for common people.
"The major projects include constructions of Institute of Health Technology, up-gradation of five 31-bed upazila health complexes to 50-bed, EPI store and 27 community clinics," HED's Executive Engineer Saiful Islam said.
Executive Engineer of Education Engineering Department Delwar Hossain Majumder said massive infrastructural development works have been implemented at a cost of Tk 2.14 billion (Tk 214 crore) in different educational institutions in nine years improving academic atmosphere.
"The major projects include construction of several buildings of Begum Rokeya University, academic buildings of 29 colleges, 64 secondary schools and 18 madrasas," Hossain added. Superintending Engineer of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Rangpur, Ramjan Ali said 10,390 km power supply lines have been constructed under two Palli Bidyut Samities here in past nine years.
"Over 5.80 lakh (0.58 million) clients have got electricity and more two-lakh clients will get electricity to reach power to every house by September 2018 in the district," Ali said.
District Primary Education Officer Shahidul Islam said 172 headmasters and 1,259 assistant teachers were appointed and 739 non-government primary schools were nationalised, laptops and projectors were distributed among 168 schools during the period.
District Education Officer Roksana Begum said laptops and projectors were distributed among 638 schools, Digital Labs set up in 165 schools and six non-government secondary schools and four colleges nationalised during the period.
Besides, Department of Social Services, Bangladesh Rural Development Board, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, Department of Youth Development and District Women Affairs Office implemented massive social safety-net programme at over Tk 7.60 billion (Tk 760 crore) making 3.27 lakh beneficiaries self-reliant through income generations.
Narrating about huge positive impacts of massive uplifts in every sector, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ruhul Amin Mian said the process of establishing an IT Park here at Tk 1.54 billion (Tk 154 crore) continues to create jobs for 5,000 unemployed youths.
Associate Professor of Begum Rokeya University Dr Tuhin Wadud said massive uplifts including establishing of Rangpur administrative division and Rangpur City Corporation in nine years have brightened image of the government.
"The popularity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has increased following huge developments here inspiring the young generations in building a middle-income nation by 2021 and developed country by 2041," Wadud added.
