Prime minister opens two bridges on Kuakata road

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally opened Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Bridge and Shaheed Sheikh Jamal Bridge on Patuakhali-Kuakata road through a video conference from her office in the capital yesterday noon.

The 482.37-metre-long and 10.25-metre-wide Shaheed Sheikh Jamal Bridge is on the Sonatala River at Hazipur point and 891.76-metre-long and 10.25-metre-wide Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Bridge is on the Andharmanik River near Kalapara upazila town.

After opening, hundreds of local people rushed to the bridges and expressed happiness as their long cherished bridges opened finally.

Among others, ASM Feroz, lawmaker from Patuakhali-2 (Baufal), also chief whip of Jatiya Sangsad, Shahjahan Mia, president of Patuakhali district unit Awami League, also a former state minister, Khan Mosharof Hossain, secretary of the district AL and administrator of Patuakhali district council, and AKM Shamimul Islam, deputy commissioner (DC) of Patuakhali, addressed a function at Patuakhali DC office during the video conference. 

Lawmaker ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, also secretary general of Jatiya Party, lawmaker AKM Jahangir Hossain, lawmaker Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, AL central leader Md Afzal Hossain, additional chief engineer of Roads and Highways Department Amdad Hossain and superintending engineer Shawkat Hossain were present.

Earlier on August 20 last year, the prime minister formally opened the 408.36-metre-long and 10.25-metre-wide Shaheed Sheikh Russel Bridge on the Shibbaria River at Mohipur point on Patuakhali-Kuakata road.

The three bridges are named after Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's three sons, and brothers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Md Reaz Uddin, president of Patuakhali bus owners association, said they are very happy as opening of the bridges will save minimum two hours for journey to Kuakata from different parts of the country.

Tourism and economic activities will see rise following opening of the three bridges on 72-km-long Kuakata-Patuakhali road, said Md Motaleb Sharif, secretary of Kuakata hotel-motel owners association.