Railway Overpass at Banani Opens
BNP closed many rail routes on WB prescription: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday alleged that the previous BNP government had shut down many important railway routes as prescribed by the World Bank.
“BNP, during its tenure, had an agreement with the World Bank to close down many important rail routes, and neglected the popular means of communication in the country,†she said.
The premier made the remarks while inaugurating an 804-metre railway overpass in the capital's Banani for traffic.
Addressing a function at the Army Stadium, Hasina said “We made a separate ministry for the railway and focused our attention to develop this cheaper, easy communication route.â€
A master plan was being implemented for the railway sector, she added.
Hasina said as part of the election pledges, her government was implementing massive infrastructure development programmes including construction of bridges, roads and flyovers to free the capital from traffic congestion.
Terming the Banani overpass as a milestone in time-saving communication, she hoped that there would be no traffic congestion up to Biswa Road and Mohakhali as no vehicle now needs to stop at the rail crossing.
The overpass would help reduce congestion significantly on the airport road as more than 70 trains pass everyday through the crossing.
She said various initiatives including construction of flyover, elevated expressway, commuter train, underground tunnels, ring road and waterways surrounding Dhaka city had already been taken.
Works on the construction of Kuril, Jatrabari and Mirpur-Airport Road flyovers was nearing completion and they would be opened to traffic soon.
She also mentioned of the Hatirjheel Project, approval of the Metro Rail Project and the completion of tender bidding process for Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover.
Terming the waterways as the cheapest mode of transport, Hasina said her government had already taken effective steps to free the river route from illegal occupation and increase their navigability through dredging.
As a result of continuous dredging, water storage capacity of the rivers was increased, and damage from flood was less in the last season, she told her audience.
The premier thanked the Bangladesh Army for completing the construction work of the Banani overpass six months ahead of schedule.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, Communications Secretary M A N Siddiqui and Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan also spoke on the occasion.
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