Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the
forthcoming general elections would be held in accordance with the
constitution.
“I want to say categorically in the House that the government led by
me is pledged bound to continue Bangladesh’s democracy and
development. In the light of this the next Parliament election will be
held in accordance with the constitution,” she said in reply to a
tabled question from Shamsul Haque Chowdhury of Chittagong-11
constituency.
Sheikh Hasina, who is also Leader of the House, said that she firmly
believes that the forthcoming Parliament election would be held in a
free and fair manner and all political parties would take part in it.
She expressed her optimism that they would be voted to power again for
their different development activities during the last five years,
Bangladesh’s pioneering role in favour of world peace, climate change
and international migration and to create positive image of the
country in the globe on traditional and non-traditional security
issues.
The Prime Minister also informed that House that if they could able to
form government again they take large scale programme in future in
line with the steps that they took during the last five years to boost
up the relations with all countries including the neighbouring
countries and to u[hold the image of the country in the international
arena.
Replying to another question from BNP lawmaker Nazim Uddin Ahmed, she
said the construction work on the Padma Bridge Project is underway.
Sheikh Hasina said the work on implementation of the Padma Bridge
Project at an estimated cost of Taka 20,507.20 crore or 2.97 billion
US dollars with own funding of the government is in progress.
The work on the riverbank protection at the Janzira Construction Yard
at a cost of Taka 95.98 crore is underway. Sixty-five percent of the
work has already been completed, she said.
The Leader of the House also told Parliament that the construction the
Janzira Approach Road costing Taka 1262.96 crore is ongoing.
She said the cabinet committee on the public procurement has approved
a proposal for appointing contractors for the construction of Mawa
Approach Road. Taka 259.56 crore have been earmarked for the work.
The expression of interest (EoI) has been floated for appointing
construction supervision consultant for constructing the main bridge
and supervision of the river training work, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said 11 organizations have submitted the proposal and,
of them, five organizations have been short-listed in the evaluation.
The RFP will be issued soon, she added.
The Prime Minister also said the work on land acquisition and
rehabilitation of the affected people is at the last stage.
She said the government has also taken steps to construct the 2nd
Padma multipurpose bridge at Paturia-Goalanda point considering the
improvement of socio-economic condition and communications of large
number of people of south and south-western part of the country.
“It is expected that the construction work of the Padma 2nd bridge can
be started in time.” she added.
The Prime Minister said the matter of constructing a circular railway
around the city is under active consideration to reduce traffic
congestion of the capital. – Staff Reporter
