Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said a very good road communication network is essential for the socio-economic development of a country and her government focuses on it to boost Bangladesh's progress.

“We have to take measures for ensuring all the basic needs of people as all our steps are aimed at achieving that purpose,” she added.

The PM was inaugurating nine bridges in Madaripur, Sylhet, Patuakhali, Cox's Bazar, Sunamganj and Gaibandha through a videoconference from Gono Bhaban.

“The more the road communication network is put on a solid footing, the more the products of different areas of the country will hit the market, and the people of those areas will be benefited greatly through marketing their products and produces.”

She said the education sector will also be benefited if the road communication network is improved.

Whenever the Awami League comes to power, it gives importance to improving the communication network, added Hasina.

The newly built bridges are Chandarpur Bridge over the Kushiara on Chandarpur-Sunur Bianibazar Road in Sylhet, Achmat Ali Khan Bangladesh-China Moitri Bridge over the Arial Khan on Madaripur-Shariatpur-Chandpur highway as well as three more bridges in the area, Sheikh Russell Bridge over the Khaprabhanga river on Patuakhali-Kuakata highway, Batarkhali Bridge on Chakaria-Badarkhali-Maheshkhali road in Cox's Bazar, Abdur Jahur Bridge over the Surma in Sunamganj and Barhodeha Bridge over the Karatoa on Gaibandha-Nakaihat-Gobindaganj road in Gaibandha.

The Roads and Highways Department of the road transport and bridges ministry implemented the projects.