With the opening of three new power plants in Ashuganj, the country has touched the 100 landmark in setting up power plants during the tenure of Awami League-led government.
Since assumption of office by the government in 2009, 73 new power plants were constructed in the last six-and-a-half years, reported BSS.
While inaugurating the-- Ashuganj 225 Megawatt Combined Cycle Power Plant, United Ashuganj 200-MW Modular Power Plant and Ashuganj Midland 51-MW Power Plant-- Thursday, Sheikh Hasina said: “It is a big achievement.”
"We have already executed massive uplift work across the country, while the work on many projects is underway in every area. So I would like to tell all concerned to finish all ongoing schemes properly and timely for accelerating the pace of development," she said.
While talking about the power sector development in the country, the PM noted that there was a severe crisis of electricity when her government took office in 2009.
"At that time, we took some steps to solve the electricity crisis in the country and we are delighted now that Bangladesh hit a century like the cricket in establishing power plants during the period of my government.”
She also expressed her firm determination to exceed the target of 20,000 MW electricity by 2021.
"We have firm belief that we could be able to produce 24,000 MW electricity during the period," she said.
The Prime Minister said her government initially took steps for setting up small power plants, but later undertook some mega projects for establishing power plants which need time to be completed.
Through videoconferenc, Sheikh Hasina also inaugurated newly constructed Jananetri Sheikh Hasina Hall and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall at Chittagong University, newly constructed Kazir Bazar Bridge over the Surma river in Sylhet, newly constructed Nayakandi Bridge, Kitingchar and Saturia bridges on Hemayetpur-Singair-Manikganj regional highway under Manikganj district, Ballbhadra Bridge on Sarail-Lakhairegional highway, Postagola Government Modern Flour Mill and activities of Bangladesh Nirapod Food Authority.
Besides, she laid foundation stones of a railway overpass at Morail rail crossing under Brahmanbaria, upgradation of Airport Bypass intersection-Lalbag-Salutikor-Companiganj-Bholaganj road to National Highway and the upgradation of Hemayetpur-Singair-Manikganj regional highway (Manikganj Bus Stand - DC Residence road part) to four lane.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Railways Minister Mazibul Haque, PM's Advisor HT Imam, Dr Moshiur Rahaman and Dr Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad and secretaries concerned were present at the function.