Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday promised to construct the second Jamuna and Padma Bridge for further development of road transportation if her party returns to power.

The former prime minister made the promise while unveiling her party's 256-point Vision-2030 at a crowded press conference at a capital Dhaka's hotel.

Khaleda Zia said, ‘For further development of road transportation, second JamunaBridge, second Padma Bridge at Paturia-Daulotdia points and Brahmaputra Bridge shall be constructed. More bridges shall be constructed over the rivers Buriganga, Meghna, Gomoti, and Karnaphully. Necessary bridges will be constructed over small and big rivers.’

She said, ‘Rail and water ways will be given priority in order to develop communication infrastructure of the country. A multimodal communication system will be developed throughout the country by reconstructing and rejuvenating rail, road and water transport system.’

The former prime minister said, ‘A deep sea port will be built in the Bay of Bengal in the vicinity of Chittagong coastal area and it will be turned into a regional hub. The deep sea port will be connected with the capital city Dhaka and the neighboring countries through a super-highway.’

The BNP chief said the efficiency of Chittagong and Mongla port will be increased and they will be modernized to make regional and international trade and connectivity easier.

She said, ‘Once Bangladesh had 24000 kilometers of navigable waterways. But by now either because of silting or drying the waterways have come down to only 3600 kilometers. This is a horrible picture of riverine Bangladesh. A mega project will be taken up to recover selected waterways and their multi-purpose use through dredging of rivers. The multi-purpose use of these rivers will be serving as a source of surface water, fisheries, boosting the flow of surface water, and recharging underground water.’

The BNP chairperson said underground tunnels will be built under Karnaphully, Buriganga, Gomoti, Padma, Jamuna and Meghna rivers.

‘To ensure safety of passengers and transportation on waterways, safe ships will be increased in the private sector and landing stations will also be increased on the bank of Buriganga and other rivers. Faster moving passenger ships will be introduced in Dhaka-Chandpur and Dhaka-Barisal routes,’ Khaleda Zia said.

The BNP chief said, ‘The whole country shall be brought under rail network through building Dhaka-Laksam cord line, Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka-Barisal railway line. Fast trains shall be introduced among Dhaka and other divisional cities. Thus all the districts of the country will be brought under rail network in phases.’

The former prime minister said Bangladesh will be connected with Asian Highway. Initiatives will be taken to establish regional road connectivity and rail connection between Dhaka and Kunming.

She said, ‘To solve traffic jam problem of the cities including Dhaka and Chittagong, traffic system shall be revamped.’

Khaleda Zia said, ‘Dhaka-Chittagong express highway will be constructed to facilitate fast movement between Dhaka and Chittagong. Highways throughout the country will be developed into four lanes in phases. Road network such as national highways, regional highways, Upazilla connecting roads, and local roads will be developed appropriately and their maintenance will be ensured.’

She said, ‘Initiatives for establishing road and rail communication network with SAARC and ASEAN countries will be taken. Initiative will also be taken to be connected with ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative of People’s China.’