UNB, Dhaka :Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the overall 31 percent progress has been achieved in the implementation of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project.Various activities are now going on to implement the project within the stipulated time, she saidreplying to a starred question from Awami League MP ATM Abdul Wahab (Magura-1) during the question-answer session.The Prime Minister said, the progress in the construction works on approach roads at Jajira and Mawa points is 65 percent and 73 percent respectively, while the progress in the works in service area (2) is 78 percent.The progress in the construction works of main bridge is 21 percent, while that of the river training is 18 percent, the financial progress of the project is 34 percent, and the overall progress is 31 percent, she added.Sheikh Hasina also placed the progress statistics in implementation of nine other first-track mega projects of the Awami League government. Replying to another question from AL MP Md Monirul Islam (Jessore-2), she hoped that it will be possible to launch Bangabandhu Satellite-I in 2017. The Prime Minister said since communications, particularly telecommunication, will be speeded up through the satellite, people will be benefited largely in terms of disaster management.As the satellite will make possible quick forecasts of any natural disaster, people will be able to take necessary preparations to save themselves from cyclones or tidal upsurges, which is very important for Bangladesh.”So, it (Satellite) will be able to play a special role in saving people from natural disasters and protecting their lives and property,” she said.The estimated cost of the Bangabandhu Satellite Launching Project is Tk 2,967.96 crore, she said.Replying to a supplementary question from AL MP Shaimum Sarwar Kamal, the PM said it is very essential to establish a university in Cox’s Bazar. “If anyone comes forward to set up a private university there, the government will give approval and provide all sorts of cooperation,” she added.
