The government is investigating the latest few fire incidents to find whether or not sabotage is involved for fading out nation's celebration of the dream Padma Bridge inauguration, says Obaidul Quader.
"We have this in mind whether these incidents are acts of sabotage or not. We are now investigating those," the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said to a question while briefing journalists at the Mawa-site project office of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) on Sunday.
The briefing was held after a visit organised by Prime Minister's Office at the Mawa site of the country's longest bridge to state the latest developments on the inauguration. Bridge Division Secretary Mohamad Monjur Hossain and Project Director M Shafiqul Islam were present.
Chief Whip Nur-e Alam Chowdhury Liton, State Minister for Shipping Khaled Mahmud Chowdhury, Deputy Minister for Water Resource Enamul Hoque Shamim and political leaders were also there.
Obaidul Quader said the Padma Bridge, which is now no more of dream but a reality, is also a symbol to the humiliation to the government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entire family.
"This (Padma) Bridge is now a symbol of taking revenge, symbol of giving answer to the allegation raised about us," he said, recalling the comments and predictions of various quarters for taking the decision of construction from government's owned fund after the World Bank's rejection of funding.
Giving entire credit to the Prime Minister, Obaidul Quader , also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, said only her all-out support at all stages in the project implementation, various challenges in the construction of the bridge could be overcome.
As the inaugural preparation is almost at the last stage, he said the World Bank chief, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Professor Yunus would be on the guests list to be invited to the inaugural function at Mawa site.
The RTB minister recalls the contribution of the people of Shibchar, Jajira and Lauhajang for sacrificing their ancestral lands for the sake of Padma Bridge. The bridge is now recognized in the world for its various features, including use of world's heaviest hummers, working in unparallel mighty river in the world with uncontrolled current, he said.
Asked why the costly Padma Bridge is being opened before installation of weigh machines to check overloading on the bridge, Obaidul Quader said initially traffic would not be that much to damage the bridge and its connecting road.
Also replying about taking traffic load of the bridge at the entry point in Dhaka city, the minister said the way the Padma bridge-project problems are resolved, the problem of traffic will also be resolved in time.
The minister praised the project office and contractors playing role in resolving various challenges in the projects and said the country has been recognized for the bridge
"But whatever the credit is that goes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who took the courage. It is a recognition to her such courage… we all have followed her instructions. But she has proven we are a nation of heroes to the world, not of thieves, a corrupt nation," Quader told the journalists
He also described the plan of the bridge inauguration and said after attending the opening gathering of civil-society members and dignitaries at the Mawa site, the Prime Minister will cross the 6.15-km bridge, which will take six minutes, and attend a public gather to address the nation on the memorable day
"The inauguration ceremony will be memorable one and invitation to the guests, including ambassadors, civil-society members and journalists will start Tuesday," he said.
