State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmood Chowdhury said, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought seven dredgers for digging waterways after independence. After that the government dredger did not come for a long time. But when we came to power, we added dredgers. At present no one is thinking about the river more than the Prime Minister.”
The state minister said this while inaugurating BIWTA’s dredger base on the golden jubilee of independence and Mujib year and Sculpture inauguration of Bangabandhu’s unfinished memoir at Shimulia in Munshiganj on Sunday.
The state minister said the PM is thinking for everyone. She has brought all the people in one line through the construction of Padma Bridge.
The BNP leaders also regretted when the pillars of the Padma Bridge were hit. This shows the importance of the PM’s projects.
Member of Parliament Sagufta Yasmin Emily, Louhjong Upazila Chairman Osman Gani Talukder and Louhjong Upazila Awami League General Secretary Abdur Rashid spoke on the occasion while the chairman of BWTA Gulam Sadek presided over the function.
The state minister said the bold decision of the PM to build the Padma Bridge has taken us to a place of dignity. People will come to see the Padma Bridge and see the sculpture of Bangabandhu's autobiography and learn about Bangabandhu's struggle. This is the first sculpture of Bangabandhu's unfinished memoir in the history of the country. He said that after the assassination of Bangabandhu, the people of Bangladesh did not get a place of dignity and respect. PM has taken us to a place of dignity.
The bold decision to build the Padma Bridge has taken us to a place of honor. The government is working to dig tens of thousands of kilometers of waterways.
The government has procured 40 dredgers for the purpose of digging waterways. Work is underway to procure 35 more dredgers.
The government is setting up five 'dredger bases' in the country to assist in the repair, maintenance and operation of BIWTA dredgers in a short period of time. Dredger Base was inaugurated at Shimulia in Munshiganj on Sunday. Construction of the Shimulia Dredger Base began in January 2020. The dredger base has cost around Tk 25 crore. It has a four storey office building, four storey staff dormitory, a workshop. The dredger base at Shimulia will facilitate the supervision of waterway excavation in Mawa area, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Madaripur and Shariatpur areas. Officers and employees engaged in the management of ferries, launch ghats and other ghats in Shimulia will be able to conduct port activities in Shimulia. Apart from Shimulia in Munshiganj, dredger bases have been introduced in Narayanganj. Dredger bases are awaiting inauguration in Barisal, Aricha and Khulna. Construction of six more new dredger bases is underway.
