Y-Type Padma Bridge to Link Rajbari and Pabna, Prime Minister Announces

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that a Y-type Padma bridge will be built connecting Rajbari and Pabna. State Minister for Cultural Affairs and Rajbari-1 MP Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam said the implementation of the Padma barrage and the second Padma bridge would open the door to a better future for the people of Rajbari.

He was speaking as chief guest at a discussion meeting organised by Rajbari district BNP at the Rajbari Poura Community Centre at 4pm on Saturday (November 7), marking the historic November 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

The state minister said he had been campaigning for the Padma barrage and the second Padma bridge since 1993. After 34 long years, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that a Y-type Padma bridge will connect Rajbari and Pabna, he said. Work on the Padma barrage has already begun, and the prime minister has also given formal approval to start work on the second Padma bridge.

Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam said martyred President Ziaur Rahman was the proclaimer of the great independence. His worthy son Tarique Rahman is now the prime minister of Bangladesh, he said, adding that people are dreaming anew today and that Bangladesh must be rebuilt.

He said the country had been ruined because the fascist government of Sheikh Hasina remained in power for a long time. In his words, there are terrible problems everywhere — roads are damaged and extortion is rampant in the fields and markets, among many other problems. It is not possible to come out of these crises in a single day.

The state minister said that as cultural affairs state minister he had travelled to various districts of the country and seen a faded picture everywhere. He claimed that little had been done in the country over the past 20 years. Bangladesh must now be built anew, he said, and the country must be fixed under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Speaking about Rajbari's development plans, the state minister said efforts are under way to build the largest railway workshop in Bangladesh in Rajbari. In addition, efforts are being made to form a new upazila with five unions carved out of the 14 unions of Rajbari Sadar.

He also said everyone must stay together, and warned against any conspiracy that could weaken the people of Rajbari.

The meeting was chaired by former Rajbari district BNP convener Nayeem Ansari and conducted by former district BNP office secretary A. Majid Biswas. Among others who spoke were former district BNP member secretary ABM Manjurul Alam Dulal, district Jubo Dal convener Khairul Anam Bakul, district Krishak Dal convener Aiyubur Rahman Aiyub, district Sramik Dal general secretary Shah Alam, district Olama Dal general secretary Hafez Lokman Hossain, district Mohila Dal general secretary Yasmin Akter Pia and district Chhatra Dal senior joint convener Omar Faruk.

Speakers at the discussion highlighted the history, background and significance of the historic November 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day. The meeting also discussed Rajbari's development, the demand for the Padma barrage and the second Padma bridge, and the current situation in the country.

It was stated at the meeting that work on the Padma barrage has already begun and formal approval has been given to start the second Padma bridge. Speakers expressed hope that fulfilling this long-standing demand of the people of Rajbari would bring major change to the district's connectivity and economic condition.

At the end of the meeting, the leaders and activists present pledged to work together to realise Rajbari's development demands.