PM Officially Inaugurates the Padma Bridge at Mawa End

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has officially inaugurated the Padma Bridge at Mawa end. Earlier, she took part in the munajat led by the Cabinet Secretary. She was accompanied by Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader and other ministers and Awami League leaders.

After inaugurating the bridge, the Prime Minister left for Jazira, Shariatpur to inaugurate the other side of Padma Bridge. From there, she will take part in a huge public meeting at Shibchar in Shariatpur. 

In the opening ceremony of the Padma Bridge, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called the Padma Bridge a "symbol of pride, honour and ability" of Bangladesh as the much-hyped bridge now stands on the mighty Padma river confronting all the conspiracies.

"Ignoring many obstacles and breaking the web of conspiracy, today the much-desired bridge stands on the chest of turbulent Padma River," she said in a gathering of dignitaries marking the grand opening of the Padma Bridge.

Mentioning that the bridge is not just a brick-cement-steel-iron made concrete infrastructure, the prime minister said, "This bridge is a symbol of our pride, our honour and ability."

"Today, I am happy, proud and overwhelmed along with millions of people of the country," she added.

The bridge belongs to the people of Bangladesh and it involves our passion, creativity, courage, endurance and perseverance of all, she said.

"Because, you (countrymen) are by my side, I have the courage to make this impossible possible. And my father, the Father of the Bangalee Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and my mother Begum Fazilatun Nessa have given me courage and blessings from the heaven," she said

The prime minister said the construction of the bridge has been delayed due to the conspiracy, adding, "But we were not disheartened."

On this historic day of the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, she said,"Let us take fresh vow to work for the welfare of the country and the people of the country."

At last, she said that the people of Bangladesh saw the light breaking the darkness.

"Red, blue, green and golden lights are shining in the chest of the Padma," she continued.

The country, which was liberated by my father, can not be deprived anymore, she said.

The premier hoped that the people who opposed the construction of Padma Bridge would be more responsible.

"My family members, younger sister Sheikh Rehana and her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, my son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and some of my colleagues, including my Economic Adviser Dr Moshiur Rahman, former Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain and Communications Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, suffered extreme mental agonies because of the conspiracies orchestrated by certain quarters at the planning stage of the construction of this bridge," she said.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam delivered the welcome address at the function with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader in the chair.

At the outset of the function, the theme song was also played while a documentary on Padma Multipurpose Bridge was screened.

The much-awaited Padma Bridge inauguration ceremony has begun at Mawa point in Munshiganj after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the inauguration spot at Kathalbari around 9.55am.

Earlier, a helicopter carrying the premier left Dhaka's Tejgaon Airport for Mawa at around 9:30am on Saturday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally open the Padma Bridge, which is likely to boost GDP by 1.2 to 2%, by unveiling the inaugural plaque at the Mawa point this morning at 11am.  

After unveiling the inaugural plaque at the Mawa point, a public rally will take place led by the premier. A total of 13 buses - with 40 seats each – will follow PM Sheikh Hasina crossing the bridge.

The first two buses will carry the ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers attending the ceremony. MPs, diplomates, secretaries and political leaders will be in the following buses.

Marking the grand opening of the bridge, a festive mood is prevailing in the country, particularly in the southern and southwestern regions which will be directly facilitated through the major road connectivity.