DHAKA, Jan 12, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated

four uplift projects including Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and
College underpass on Dhaka-Airport Highway to implement the government’s
pledges to the grassroots people to transform Bangladesh into a developed and
prosperous country.

   "With opening the four development schemes, we are marching ahead to
fulfill our pledges to the grassroots people to turn Bangladesh into a
developed and prosperous country as envisioned by the Father of the Nation,"
she said.

  The prime minister said this while inaugurating the newly constructed
pedestrian underpass adjoining Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and
College on Dhaka-Airport Highway, Sylhet Town Bypass-Garrison Link 4 Highway,
Balukhali (Cox's Bazar)-Ghundhum (Bandarban) Boundary Link Road, and a 500
metre bridge on the Chengi river at Naniarchar in Rangamati district under
the Roads and Highways Department.

   The pedestrian underpass was constructed on the Dhaka-Airport Highway as
part of the prime minister's pledge following the deaths of two school
students in a road accident near Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and
College on July 29 in 2018.

  Joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here, she said the
development schemes would pave the way of boosting trade and business and
make people's communication easy alongside contributing to decrease the
nagging traffic snarl and road accidents.

  The country's first box pushing underpass with having lift and moving
staircases was built at a cost of Tk 57.43 crore while Sylhet Town Bypass-
Garrison Link 4 Highway at Tk 274 crore, Balukhali (Cox's Bazar) - Ghundhum
(Bandarban) Boundary Link Road at Tk 78.85 crore and the 500 metre bridge on
the Chengi river at Naniarchar in Rangamati district, the largest bridge in
the Chattogram Hill Tracks area, at Tk 227.61 crore.

   Bangladesh Army's 24 and 34 engineering construction brigade supervised
the development schemes.

   Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Foreign Minister Dr AK
Abdul Momen, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, local public representatives,
high civil and military officials were connected to the programme from the
respective sites.

   Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed spoke on the occasion.

   PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function while
Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam gave a brief
description about the four development projects.

  Engineer-in-chief of Bangladesh Army Major General Ibne Fazal
Shayekhuzzaman also spoke on the occasion.