Sheikh Hasina said in Parliament on Wednesday, “We’ve achieved the capability to implement big projects with our own funds.”

Her statement came in response to a question by Fazlur Rahman, ruling Awami League MP in Sunamganj-4, whether the Padma Bridge project would affect other development programmes.

The prime minister said, “No ongoing project will face funding problem just because the Padma Bridge project is being implemented. All the projects undertaken so far have either been implemented or are being executed in due time.”

The government initiated the construction of Padma Bridge at a cost of Tk 290 billion after the World Bank backed out of funding the country’s largest-ever infrastructure project alleging ‘conspiracy for corruption’ in hiring consultants.

Hasina said the bridge, which would connect southern region of the country to capital Dhaka and other areas, would be opened both to vehicles and trains in 2018.

She said a project had been undertaken to build rail tracks from Faridpur to Barisal.

The prime minister asked the MPs to supervise the development projects in their respective areas to ensure their proper implementation.

“The works are being done with public money. So you have to meticulously check whether the money is being spent properly or not. Only then will the country attain the desired progress,” she said.

To a question, Hasina said all the highways in the country would be upgraded to four-lane ones in future.