The government will float tenders for constructing the main infrastructure of Padma Bridge, which is to be financed by domestic funds, by June, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League (AL), made the disclosure while addressing a meeting with the leaders of the party’s Shariatpur chapter at her official residence Ganabhaban.
“We will start construction within our current tenure. If people vote to bring back the current government to power again, we will complete the construction work within the next tenure,” she said.
The construction of Padma Bridge, which would link the country’s south-west region to the north-east region, is one of the key electoral pledges of the current Awami League-led government.
The government, however, could never begin the work of constructing the bridge, which is the biggest development project ever initiated in the country’s history, even after nearing the end of its five-year tenure.
The project was plunged into uncertainty after its biggest potential financer World Bank decided to withdraw bringing charges of conspiracy of corruption.
Sheikh Hasina said: “During our previous tenure, we started the work for constructing Padma Bridge. The project was envisaged then; but the subsequent BNP government suspended its construction. But we resumed the work for constructing the bridge after assuming power again.”
Regarding the next general elections, the premier said a constitutional approach was essential for keeping the democratic system in the country uninterrupted. “The handover of power this time will be done in accordance with the constitution.”
The AL president also warned that the masterminds and the forces of 1/11 had not been sitting idle and so she urged all to remain alert. “The country’s democratic system has faced many obstacles repeatedly in the past – sometimes in the form of coups and at other times due to conspiracies.”
“There are some people in our country who desire to go to power but have no popularity. Neither do they have enough courage to face the people. They do not like constitutional ways. They always want an unstable situation to prevail in the country.
Many of them tried to form new political parties and implement the ‘minus two’ formula. But they failed since they did not have people’s support,” Hasina said.
Referring to the proposed budget for the 2013-14 fiscal, the prime minister said: “Many people are now criticising the proposed budget and terming it ambitious. But we proposed the budget to improve the standard of living of people.
“How long shall we keep depending on foreign assistance?” she inquired rhetorically, adding: “We have to stand on our own feet and develop the country by increasing revenue.”
Regarding the much talked about political dialogue, Hasina blamed the main opposition party BNP for closing all doors by rejecting the government’s proposals and withdrawing the adjournment motion for discussion at parliament.