ZCZC
BSS-25
PM-AIR-CONNECTIVITY-2 LAST Dhaka
Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken initiatives to construct pipelines so the jet fuel can directly reach the Shajalal International Airport.
The Prime Minister said the government has been working to establish infrastructures of the air, road, water and railways, adding, “The country’s economy and development will get pace and the communication will be more easier for the people.”
In this connection, she said Father of the Nation Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had created Biman Bangladesh Airlines within 19 days since Bangladesh became independent and Bangladesh Biman started its journey in 1972 with Dakota Biman.
Bangabandhu made the rare instance in the world by establishing airlines with the shortest possible time after his country became independent, she continued.
“But, Bangabandhu didn’t do much as he along with most of his family members except me and my younger sister were assassinated on August 15,1975,” she said.
Pointing finger at the then BNP government, she said after assuming office they didn’t take any initiative to make further progress of the aviation sector rather made quick buck by purchasing aeroplanes and utilized the facilities which Bangabandhu had developed.
Preserve water bodies:
The Prime Minister asked all concerned to take measures to preserve water bodies for enhancing the use of surface water instead of using underground water alongside protecting biodiversity and increasing fish production and ensure safe water for all.
“All the canals, beels, haors, ponds and rivers across the country should be preserved in a proper manner mainly to protect biodiversity and balance of the nature, boost fish production and meet the growing demand of water,” she said.
The use of surface water will help stopping the use of underground water and thus protect biodiversity and environment which is good for health also.
To this end, she said her government has taken various plans and has been implementing those.
Mentioning that her government has given utmost importance to ensuring safe water and sanitation, she said, “Supplying safe drinking water to the people is our target.”
The premier said the government has taken various plans to supply safe water up to Upazila and Union levels by treating river water mostly.
The people of the country, particularly Dhaka dwellers, have got rid of acute crisis of safe drinking water that was created during the BNP regime, she continued.
Referring to the fire at Bashundhara Shopping Complex that at was doused after taking water from Sonargaon Peapacific Hotel, the Prime Minister came down heavily on the BNP government for constructing box-culvert instead of preserving water bodies.
She said once upon a time the Panthapath Road was a canal and it had huge water bodies around the area, but no initiative was taken to preserve the water bodies at that time.
In this regard, she said, her government has been taking every project keeping in mind the preservation of the water bodies that helps harvesting rain water.
The Prime Minister expressed her desire to visit the Water Bhaban after the coronavirus pandemic.
She said the country’s economy keeps moving utilizing the digitalization as her government made Bangladesh a digital one as her party Awami League pledged to do so in the 2008 election manifesto.
BSS/AHJ/GA/1715 hrs