Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday inaugurated several uplift schemes including two water treatment plants, two bridges, several train services and 12-hour transmission of BTV’s Chattogram centre programmes.

She inaugurated the development projects through a video conference from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.

The premier opened two water treatment plants– Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant in Chattogram under the jurisdiction of Chattogram WASA, and Bangabandhu Water Treatment Plant in Khulna under Khulna WASA–aimed at meeting up the growing demand of pure drinking water of the localities.

Taka 1890.82 crore was spent to build the Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant having the capacity of producing 92 crore litres per day. It will increase pure drinking water coverage to 90 percent from the existing 65 percent in Chattogram.

While Bangabandhu Water Treatment Plant was built at a cost of Taka 2554 crore with the capacity of producing 11 crore litres per day. The existing 25 percent coverage of pure drinking water has been increased to 75 percent bringing 15 lakh more people of Khulna under the coverage.

Two bridges built on the rivers Titas at Nabinagar Upazila in Brahmanbaria and the Kaliganga in Manikganj Sadar under an important Nine Bridge Project of the Local Government Department.

The 5.75-metre long bridge on the river Titas was built at a cost of Taka 37.95 crore while 456-metre long bridge on the river Kaliganga was built at a cost of Taka 54.29 crore.

The two water treatment plants and two bridges were built under the Local Government Department.

New train services, Jamalpur Express on Tarakandi-Jamalpur-Dhaka route, Rajbari Express (old Faridpur Express) on Pachuria-Faridpur-Bhanga route Bhanga, Dhalarchar Express (old Pabna Express) on Dhalarchar-Pabna-Rajshahi route, have also been opened as part of the move to spread rail communication across the country.

Besides, the Udayan and Paharika Expresses on Sylhet-Chattogram route will be replaced with two newly imported coaches.

The premier inaugurated an App to facilitate the digital functioning of the Palli Sanchay Bank. It will brought 22 lakh people under the coverage.

The premier also opened 12-hour transmission of programmes of Bangladesh Television’s Chattogram centre.

Senior Secretary of Financial Institutions Division of Finance Ministry Md Asadul Islam and Information Secretary Kamrun Nahar made a brief presentation on the app of Palli Sanchay Bank and 12-hour transmission of BTV’s Chattogram centre respectively.

Separate documentaries on the uplift schemes were screened on the occasion.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon and former minister and Awami League presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury shared the stage with the premier.

PMO Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and high officials of the concerned ministries, representatives of different development partners, among others, were present at the function, while PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikous moderated it.