<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday termed the inauguration of 100 bridges at a time as a historic event, saying it would help quicken the country's overall development.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>"The biggest thing is that we can make the country's development quicker with the inauguration of 100 bridges," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She virtually opened the 100 bridges in 25 districts at a cost of over Tk 879 crore from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier also said the bridges would help the law enforcement agencies take prompt measures to ensure public security and maintain law and order.</div><div><br></div><div>"It will be easier to help people in any disaster," she said, adding that the transportation and marketing of the goods would be quicker and easier.</div><div><br></div><div>While exchanging views with the beneficiaries, the prime minister asked all to show austerity in using electricity and gas and take measures to grow more food so the global crisis stemming from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war could not hit the country's economy hard.</div><div><br></div><div>The bridges established direct road connectivity with the capital as they made 33 routes free from ferry services that will make road communication smooth, quicker, easier and safer.</div><div><br></div><div>Of the bridges, 46 are in Chattogram division, 17 in Sylhet division, 14 in Barishal division, seven each in Dhaka and Rajshahi division, six in Mymensingh division and three in Rangpur division.</div><div><br></div><div>Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function while Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary A B M Amin Ullah Nuri gave a brief description of the bridges.</div><div><br></div><div>A video-documentary on the bridges was screened on the occasion. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>