Inside Politics

Bangabandhu Railway Bridge construction progressing fast

Publish: 10:57 AM, 05 Nov, 2022


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The construction works of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge over the Jamuna River here are progressing fast as 46 percent work has already been completed.

The 4.8km-long rail bridge is being built 300-metre upstream of the Bangabandhu Bridge aimed at enhancing rail connectivity between the capital and the country's northwestern regions and it is expected to be the largest dedicated rail bridge in the country.

Construction works of 12 out of total 50 pillars were completed and the bridge is becoming visible gradually, said Engineer Al Fattah Muhammad Mashudur Rahman, director of the project.

The bridge is being constructed in 49 spans on 50 pillars that will create scopes of running trains at 100-120 kilometers per hour.

Upon successful implementation of the Taka 16,780-crore project by 2024, the bridge will contribute a lot towards reducing pressure on Bangabandhu Bridge and highway besides reducing the cost of export and import.

He said 46 percent work of one of the country's mega projects was completed.

Railway communication had been introduced between Dhaka and the north and south-western regions of the country first after opening the Bangabandhu Bridge in 1998.

Engineer Rahman said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge on November 29, 2020.

The dual-gauge, double-track bridge is being constructed on 50 pears as the construction works are going on at two ending points of Sirajganj and Tangail.

A 7.6km-long double-line railway approach embankment, a 30.73km dual-gauge railway track and 16 viaducts will be built under the railway bridge project.

Apart from this, the Bangabandhu Bridge East and West stations and yards will be renovated and remodeled.

Rahman said the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge will be capable of running trains at a speed of 120km per hour on broad gauge line and 100km per hour on meter gauge track compared to the present speed of 10kmph on the Bangabandhu Bridge.

Site Chief Engineer Abdul Khaleque said the dual-gauge double-track railway bridge will save at least 20 minutes commute time as no train will have to wait for line crossing.

Only 38 trains can now travel through the Bangabandhu Bridge on a daily basis. But after the construction of the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge, it will allow as many as 68 trains to operate every day.

This will also give the authorities the option to increase the number of both passenger and freight trains, which is expected to develop the country's rail services and strengthen regional connectivity.

President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Masudur Rahman said the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge will develop train services.

It will also help boost the economy of the northern region of the country, he said.

The bridge is expected to improve the country's connectivity with such neighboring countries like India, Nepal and Bhutan.

- BSS


Bangabandhu Railway Bridge  


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Inside Politics

Quader suggests BNP make preparations for next election instead of next movement

Publish: 04:24 PM, 16 Feb, 2024


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Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday advised BNP to prepare for the next general election instead of thinking about the next movement.

He made the suggestion at a joint meeting of the party held at the Awami League central office in the capital this morning.

Regarding BNP's movement until victory, Quader said Mirza Fakhrul has become overwhelmed with daydreams after getting out of jail.

At the time, the AL leader stated that, “BNP should recognise that the issue of issue-based movement in the country cannot be found while the people's administration is in power.”

In his introductory speech at the joint meeting, Quader said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, has brought great honour to the country by participating in the Security Conference in Germany. Today, the democratic world has unhesitatingly accepted the importance of Bangladesh.”

"The geopolitical position of Bangladesh is fertile ground for many of our enemies. Many falcons have eyes on the Bay of Bengal and St. Martin. However, Sheikh Hasina's government has led to the success of balanced diplomacy", he added.

At this time, Quader said that the party president instructed the divisional in-charge to resolve the internal disputes of the party, including the formation of the expired committee.


Obaidul Quader   Awami League   Mirza Fakhrul   BNP  


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Inside Politics

2024 election was the fairest since 1975: PM

Publish: 10:45 AM, 08 Feb, 2024


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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said this year's January 7 polls were the freest, fairest and most credible in Bangladesh after 1975.

"I think the election that was held in Bangladesh on January 7 this year was the freest, fairest and most neutral since 1975," she told a view exchange meeting with Tungipara Awami League leaders and activists at her official Ganabhaban residence.

Sheikh Hasina said the BNP-Jamaat wanted to foil the January 7 polls by doing various misdeeds. But the most important thing of the election is that the people spontaneously went to the polling stations and cast their vote, she said.

Mentioning that the journey ahead is not so easy, the Prime Minister said "Many obstacles have to be overcome. Many conspiracies surround this Bangladesh."

The people of Bangladesh have become financially secure today, she said, adding, people of Bangladesh are getting food today and are receiving treatment easily.

She went on saying, over 30 types of medicines are given free of charge through community clinics and today there is no need to bring old clothes from abroad.

Sheikh Hasina said that they have arranged rice and clothes as well as ensured medical treatment and education for the country's people. "In this way we are working for the welfare of people."

Regarding the commodity prices, she said that global food prices have increased, and that is why the government has to pay a huge amount of money to buy fertilisers, seeds, wheat, fuel oil, edible oil and gas.

"We have to buy many things from abroad. As the price of everything has gone up, the cost of transportation has gone up because of the Ukraine-Russia war," she added.

The head of government noted that there is a little difficulty for those who have a fixed income, saying "if we all cultivate the uncultivated lands, then there will be no shortage of this food. Moreover, we can make more surplus, we can also give to the people."

Laying emphasis on brining uncultivated land under cultivation, she said "wherever there is fallow land, we should bring it under cultivation. We will do whatever we can to help. At the same time, we will make arrangement for marketing through cooperatives."

 Sheikh Hasina said, "We have a plan to store food grains in every district; When there is a surplus. We have already made arrangements to this end."

She urged everyone to be frugal in the use of electricity and water.

Addressing the chairmen and members of Union Parishads, the Prime Minister said that the government gives many projects and works, and those should be implemented properly.

"People should not be ticked off (seeing the bad work), rather they can bring confidence by seeing the work, and this trust is most needed," she added.

-BSS


election   fairest  


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Inside Politics

PM for patience regarding war-like situation in Myanmar: Law Minister

Publish: 10:01 AM, 06 Feb, 2024


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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the armed forces and paramilitary border guards of Bangladesh to have patience regarding the recent war-like situation in Myanmar between their government forces and insurgents.

Law Minister Anisul Huq, in absence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, on Monday said this while responding to a supplementary question from Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Huq Chunnu in the parliament.

“Bangladesh is observing the situation closely and steps will be taken,” he said.

He said that today (Monday) some 78 Myanmar Border Police members entered Bangladesh, some of them with injuries.

He mentioned that these personnel have been kept in a school there and the injured persons were given treatment.

The law minister said that Instructions have been given to initiate dialogue with Myanmar through foreign ministry and send them back.

“If they are not able to send them back the next course will be taken,” he said.

The minister said that government is aware of this matter in Myanmar and steps have been taken to close down schools in areas close to Myanmar frontier.


Myanmar   Law Minister  


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Inside Politics

BCCT will give top priority to research in its funding: Saber

Publish: 10:55 AM, 04 Feb, 2024


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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will give top priority to research in its funding.

 He said research needs to be increased in the country to solve various problems, and it is not possible to depend on research from other countries.

 For this reason, he said, all-out assistance will be provided to researchers and scientists for their research work in the development of science and technology.

The environment minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research (BFDR) of the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology (USET) at the National Press Club in the capital.

The function was arranged to felicitate Dr. Mohammad Mazharul Islam, a senior researcher in the Department of Chemistry at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, for receiving the prestigious 'IChemE Global Award 2023' in Chemistry.

Saber Hossain said Dr. Mohammad Mazharul Islam's achievement is a testament to the growing interest of the global community in the contributions of Bangladeshi scientists to the field of knowledge and science.

He said Dr. Mazharul Islam's research work will not only enrich the knowledge of chemistry but also play an important role in the development of our country.

The minister also called upon everyone to work together to improve the environment of the country.

Chaired by Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Patron of the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology, the meeting was also addressed by Professor Dr. Md. Fazlul Haque, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of USET; Dr. M. Asaduzzaman, former Research Director and Economist of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)n and columnist Dr. Monayem Sarkar, among others.

-BSS


Environment   Climate Change   Saber Hossain Chowdhury  


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Inside Politics

BNP-Jamaat patronizing militants: Anisul

Publish: 10:20 AM, 04 Feb, 2024


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Urging the countrymen to remain alert, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said BNP-Jamaat are patronizing militant organizations.

Everyone should remain cautious against the militant groups as BNP and Jamaat are patronizing the outfits till now, he said replying to a query of reporters after inaugurating PC Guarder Bridge on Akhaura Boro Bazar Dharkhar Road in Akhaura upazila of the district.

About the upcoming upazila election, the law minister said the Awami League (AL) president and policy makers will take decision in this regard.

AL Akhaura upazila unit president Mohammad Ali Chowdhury and general secretary and municipality mayor Takzil Khalifa Kazal, among others, were present.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed the 96.10 meter long bridge worth about Taka 5.77 crore.

-BSS


BNP   Jamaat   Anisul  


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