Padma bridge to be named after Padma river: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the much-awaited Padma bridge will be named after the river as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina canceled the proposal of naming the bridge after her, BSS reported.

“Lawmakers and people of all classes including cultural organizers demanded for naming the Padma bridge after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she took the challenge to build the bridge with the country’s own fund. But the prime minister gave directive to name the Padma bridge after the river,” he said.

He came up with the remarks while replying to a question of newsmen after visiting Likhon, a patient suffering from a rare disease, at Dhaka Medical College Hospital here.

Quader, also Awami League General Secretary said, on the basis of public opinion, the ministry sent a summary of the proposal of naming the brigde as “Sheikh Hasina Padma Setu” to the Prime Minister’s Office.

But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina canceled the proposal asking to name the bridge after the river Padma, he added.

About the treatment of Likhon, Quader said he has been suffering from a rare disease for long.

“After knowing about Likhon through a newspaper report, I took the responsibility of bearing his treatment cost. Likhon also underwent a surgery.

The treatment of the disease is quite expensive,” he added.

The minister also mentioned about his receiving reasonability of bearing treatment cost of a children of Thanchi upazila in Bandarban and a physically-challenged student of Eden Mohila College.

About the movement of demanding restoration of quota for freedom fighters’ children in government job recruitment, Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did many works for the welfare of freedom fighters.

But, he said, if the demands are logical, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will definitely consider it.