The Daily Morning Voice Online Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked people to compare the development works done by Awami League and other governments. “I expect that people of the country would at least consider how much development was done by those in power for nearly 30 years (1975-1996 and 2001-2009) and what the Awami League governments did,” she said. The premier was addressing the inaugural ceremony of 100 roads at her office in Dhaka. A month and a half into the inauguration of 100 bridges in a single day, Hasina opened the record number of roads and highways to traffic in 50 districts through a virtual platform.

The new roads, which include national, regional and district, aim to ensure a safe and uninterrupted communication as well as help reduce road accidents and traveling time. The Roads and Highways Department under the Road Transport and Highways Division constructed or reconstructed the highways with a combined length of 2,021.56 km under 48 projects at an overall cost of Tk 14,915 crore in the last two years. The PM said her government opened 100 roads in a single day and also opened 100 bridges in a day earlier. “Could anyone do that in the past? No. It is only Awami League that can accomplish this,” she said. She said the 100 roads are gifts for the nation in this month of victory. “We are told that the Awami League government has destroyed the country… I don’t know if people would believe those who say that Awami League destroyed the country even after this (opening 100 roads and 100 bridges). That is my question,” she said.

The new roads and highways include 32 with a total length of 653.66 km in Dhaka division, 16 with total length of 352.26 km in Khulna division, 14 with 258.90 km in Chattogram division, 15 with 203.95 km in Rangpur, eight highways with 196.87 km in Rajshahi, six with 142.48 km in Mymensingh, four highways with 106.18 km in Sylhet and four highways with 107.26 km in Barishal division. Of these, 99 roads were developed with the government fund, while one — the 70km Joydebpur (Gazipur)-Alenga (Tangail) four-lane highway with service lanes on both sides — was constructed with Tk 3,205crore foreign loans and Tk 2,963.64 crore government fund. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke at the event, moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah. Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a presentation on the 100 new roads and highways.