Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated 150 bridges and 14 overpasses of various highways built under the Department of Roads and Public Ways (Soaz) in different districts across the countryOn Thursday (October 19, 2023) at 1:30 PM, he inaugurated these projects through video conferencing from the road building in TejgaonAt the same time, he inaugurated the foundation stone of Kewatkhali Bridge and Rahmatpur Bridge on the Brahmaputra river in Mymensingh district, DTCA building, BRTA's automatic motor vehicle fitness test center, BRTC's bus depot and training center. Apart from this, the Prime Minister handed over checks of financial support to the families of those who died in road accidents and those who were injured. And the total length of these 150 bridges built in 39 districts of 8 divisions of the country is 9 thousand 454 meters or 9.45 kilometers. The total cost of construction is 3 thousand 287 crores.

Among them, there are 40 bridges in Mymensingh division, 32 bridges in Dhaka division, 27 bridges in Chittagong division, 22 bridges in Rajshahi division, 12 bridges in Khulna division, 8 bridges each in Barisal and Rangpur divisions and one bridge in Sylhet division.

Apart from this, the Prime Minister inaugurated 14 overpasses in Rangpur, Sirajganj, Bogra, Gaibandha districts. The construction cost of these 689 meter long structures is 208 crore rupees. And the prime minister handed over checks of financial assistance to the families of those who died in the road accident and those who were injuredThe government has implemented these projects with the financial support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The length of the Titas bridge in Brahmanbaria district, built with the government's own funding, is 558.21 meters. Apart from this, 402.61 meter long Chatak Surma Bridge in Sunamganj district, 298.80 meter long Ariarghat Bridge in Bogra, 193.30 meter long Nayarhat Bridge in Dhaka district will be inaugurated.
15 new RCC bridges constructed by replacing the existing Bailey bridges at dilapidated, narrow and important points on various highways are being inaugurated. Among them, the 187.18 meter long Chapair Bridge in Gazipur and the 149.87 meter long Ramachandri Bridge in Narayanganj are noteworthyAnd these 150 bridges and 14 overpasses of various highways will benefit the marginalized communities in terms of communication across the country. Bridges will help increase the GDP of marginalized communities.

According to the Department of Roads and Public Ways (SOAZ), 150 bridges and 14 overpasses will bring prosperity to the communication system of the marginal people of the country. Apart from this, it will make their life safe and time saving. Therefore, about 17 crore people of Bangladesh now consider any positive plan and program of the government as the goal of changing their destiny. As a result, implementation of development activities becomes easier. This was once not possible. After the 2008 elections, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started a practical action plan through technology-based science-minded thinking instead of the so-called hypothetical idea of improving the fortunes of the people. This is called digital concept. In the perspective plan from 2010 to 2021, two five-year plans, the sixth five-year plan (2011-15) and the seventh five-year plan (2016-21), started a simultaneous journey of socio-economic development. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not only a politician, she is also a wise economist. Bangladesh is now the 41st economy in the world. A wonder of development to the world. After independence, Bangabandhu re-established the war-torn communication system in a very short time. He undertook to develop a seamless and efficient communication and transport system. After independence in 1972 he announced the construction of a bridge over the river Yamuna.

During his visit to Japan in October 1973, he sought the help of the Japanese government to build a bridge over the river Yamuna. After the Awami League government took over in 1996, the construction of the Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge was completed and the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the bridge on June 23, 1998. In the continuous development journey of Bangladesh, more milestone achievements have been added to surprise the world. 25 June 2022 Padma Bridge was inaugurated. The construction process of Padma Bridge, built with the latest technology and materials in the world, has been completed maintaining the highest standards. Padma Bridge's pile or foundation is the deepest in the world so far. The piles of this bridge have been placed up to a maximum depth of 122 meters. State-of-the-art technology has been used considering earthquake resistance.

When the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, took charge of the war-torn country on January 12, 1972, Bangladesh was one of the ten poorest countries in the world. 88 percent of people were poor. Dependence on foreign aid was also 88 percent. Many doubted whether Bangladesh would survive or not. US security adviser Henry Kissinger said Bangladesh is a country of "bottomless basket". Bangabandhu stood on the rubble and started well-planned economic activities with empty hands. In the second year of the First Five Year Plan (1973-78), Bangladesh's GDP rose to 9.59 percent against a target of 5.5 percent in 1974-75, which is still a record.

But after the assassination of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975, the country plunged into darkness. Directly and indirectly, military and semi-democratic rulers ruled the country for 21 years sharing power with the anti-independence forces. GDP growth never rose above 4 to 5 percent during their tenure. But if we take into account the period of government of Bangabandhu's rightful successor, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from 1996-01 and 2009 to the present, what do we see? After Bangabandhu, he has brought all the fields including economy and development to the highest level in history. He has brought the country to a unique height.

GDP growth in FY 2021-22 is 7.25 percent, which is over 8 percent in FY 2018-19 before the Covid-19 pandemic. And honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has earned a reputation for this country. He has brought glory and success to the country. Past in state administration

Political analysts highlighted the political situation of the year and the ongoing development of the country to the Prime Minister

Called as a successful statesman of the present world.

According to them, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has now made her place as a world-class leader with her skills and wisdom.

Finally, those who have witnessed Sheikh Hasina in the last 14 and a half years cannot deny that she has been able to take herself to unique heights as a leader. His leadership qualities were not only appreciated among the people of the country but his leadership was appreciated in the world court. From the leader of Bangladesh, he has established himself as a world leader. In addition to conducting development activities within the country, she has always been involved in various issues including climate change and women's empowerment in the international arena, so international organizations and heads of state of major countries have praised her work. Even his economic activities and development plans have been praised by the leaders of different countries of the world. The government's success in dealing with Covid-19 has been praised globally. Under his leadership, recommendations for inclusion of Bangladesh in the list of developing countries have been received. Sheikh Hasina's government is trying to make Bangladesh a developed country in 2041.

He has worked tirelessly for the past 14 and a half years to achieve this goal. And the honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has become a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of about 170 million people in our Bangladesh. It is because of his visionary leadership that Bangladesh has achieved the position it is today. However, the continuity of the government has helped him achieve this goal. Because in the political reality of a country like Bangladesh, development is hindered if there is no continuity of the government. The people of Bangladesh trusted him and allowed him to work according to his plans.We believe that the people of Bangladesh will have the same faith in her in the upcoming 12th National Parliament Elections to be held in 2024 because the thing that we all should keep in mind at this moment is that the alternative of Sheikh Hasina has not been created in the political context of Bangladesh. Just as Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are used synonymously, Sheikh Hasina has now become another name for the development of Bangladesh. As a result, maintaining the continuity of development, Bangladesh is moving towards a developed country under the leadership of Awami League and Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina.

The daughter of Sheikh Hasina, the worthy successor of her father, dedicated to the economic emancipation of the people of Bengal, has entered the pages of history as a unique person and leader of the Awami League. So every highway is not a highway, it is a symbol of the integrity and bravery of leader Sheikh Hasina. Earlier on October 10, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the Dhaka-Banga section of rail link between Dhaka and Jessore via Padma BridgeTherefore, on the noble call of the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, let us all, regardless of party affiliation, unite to build a developed, happy and prosperous Bangladesh for the next generation, which will be the only way to fulfill the dream of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to build a golden BanglaIn Bangladesh of this time, he is not only a person, but above the individual, he is the guardian of the hope of the masses. No time to think about yourself. Morning-afternoon-afternoon-night are spent thinking about the welfare of the people of the country. We hope that he will be alive among us with long lifeI wish honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina good health and long life.

The writer is a, Founder Chairman,Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society.