National
PM Sheikh Hasina Receives Over Tk 315cr for Padma Bridge Loan
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received over TK 315 crore as the 5th and 6th installments of the loan taken for the construction of the Padma Bridge. The presentation took place during a check handover function at the premier’s Ganabhaban residence, where Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of Tk 315,07,53,442. Among those present were PM’s Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, PM’S Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Bridges Division Secretary M Monjur Hossain, and high officials of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), bridge, and finance divisions.
With the inclusion of the fifth and sixth installments, the Bridges Division has contributed a total of Tk 948,01,19,585 to the government through six installments. The loan repayment initiative commenced on April 5, utilizing toll collection revenue as the first and second installments.
The Padma Bridge, a significant infrastructure project, was constructed at a cost exceeding Taka 32,605 crore. On June 25, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 6.15-km Padma Bridge, marking a milestone in the country’s transportation infrastructure.
It is noteworthy that the loan for the Padma Bridge project was secured from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate, as per an agreement between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. The loan repayment process, exemplified by the recent installments, reflects the government’s commitment to managing the financial aspects of key national projects.
This check handover signifies another step in the financial stewardship of the Padma Bridge initiative, underscoring the government’s dedication to completing and sustaining vital infrastructure projects that contribute to the nation’s progress.
Leaders of the quota reform movement have resolutely refused to negotiate with the government, insisting that their movement will persist until their demands are met.
In a Facebook post, Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, declared, “No discussion through stepping onto blood.”
Asif Mahmud, another prominent leader, echoed this sentiment, stating, “There can be no dialogue with bullets. I would prefer death over this betrayal.”
He further elaborated, “On one side, there are bullets. On the other, there is a call for dialogue. We can’t sit for dialogue while stepping onto the blood of our brothers.”
Earlier, leaders of the quota reform movement accused the government of escalating the law and order situation towards violence, asserting that their movement was peaceful until the government’s intervention.
Vowing to continue their struggle, Asif Mahmud stated, “We will continue our protests till we achieve our demands for reformation of the quota system, reopening of the halls and campuses, making university campuses terror-free, withdrawing political forces from the campuses, and punishing the killers and attackers.”
He added, “The people of the country have encircled those who tried to corner us. No conspiracy will be able to derail our movement.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged both local and international investors to invest in the extraction of marine resources from Bangladesh’s extensive sea areas.
“In order to fortify the blue economy through the diverse utilization of our marine resources, I call upon local and foreign investors to seize the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh. This will enable us to harness more of our marine resources,” she announced.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the Bangladesh International Aquaculture and Seafood Show-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.
She emphasized the importance of adhering to proper standards in the collection, distribution, and processing of fish to boost exports, aiming to make fish the country’s second-largest source of foreign currency.
Sheikh Hasina pointed out that her government has made limited progress in harvesting fish and other sea resources from the deep sea due to a lack of interest from local investors.
“Therefore, we need foreign investment to advance in this area. This is the reality we must face,” she noted.
She also suggested that both local and foreign investors can collaborate in joint ventures or invest separately in this sector to achieve better results.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate and moderately heavy rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across all eight divisions of the country over the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
In its weather bulletin issued this morning, the BMD stated, “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty wind is expected in a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Additionally, one or two places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal divisions may experience similar conditions, with moderately heavy falls anticipated at several locations in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.”
The bulletin also highlighted that the current mild heat wave sweeping across the Rangpur division and the districts of Tangail, Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra, and Netrokona may persist.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise slightly, while nighttime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged throughout the country.
On Wednesday, the highest recorded temperature was 36.7 degrees Celsius, observed in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Rajarhat. The lowest temperature recorded today was 26.0 degrees Celsius, noted in Bandarban and Teknaf.
Over the last 24 hours, rainfall amounted to 16 mm in Bandarban.
For the capital, the sun will set at 6:48 pm today and rise at 5:21 am tomorrow.
