Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon all, including the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies, to plant at least three saplings to make Bangladesh a much greener country.

The Prime Minister made the call while inaugurating Bangladesh Krishok League's three-month-long tree plantation campaign at her official residence Gono Bhaban.

The government wants to ensure overall economic development of the country while protecting its environment and surroundings, Hasina said.

Hoping to see a livelier and much better environment in the country, she mentioned that the government is implementing various programmes to this end.

The Prime Minister said forestation in Bangladesh has gone up to 22 percent from a mere 7 percent due to massive afforestation across the country under her governance.

Hasina said such steps will help improve the country's environment. Alongside expanding afforestation, this is how Bangladesh will be able to set an example in the world.

About the plantation campaign, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh Awami League decided in 1983 to observe countrywide tree plantation campaigns on the 1st day of Asharh every year before proceeding with afforestation programmes.

She requested the leaders, workers, and well-wishers of Awami League and its associate bodies as well as those who believe in Bangabandhu's ideology to plant at least one fruit, one wood, and one medicinal sapling.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government is working to establish a rail network across the country for providing transportation to people and goods at a cheaper rate.

"There will be a rail line from Dhaka to Chattogram, Chattogram to Cox's Bazar and Ghundum. We'll build the Railways stronger and we have plans," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while laying the foundation stone of the 4.8km long double-line dual-gauge Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge over the river Jamuna-- aimed at increasing the rail communication between the capital and Western zone of the Railway.

She said that the government will set up a rail line from Dhaka to Payra Port via Barishal and Patuakhali.

"We'll start a feasibility study, we've taken initiative in that regard," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said that after assuming power, the government has done a massive expansion in the railway sector through various steps including procuring new locomotives and compartments.

"Now, Railways are giving service to the people, contributing especially in carrying goods. Above all, during the COVID-19, Railways is giving the highest service to the people," she said.

Recalling the suicidal decision of the BNP government to strangle the railway sector, the Prime Minister said that the government again revived the sector through various time-befitting decisions.

She said that the government is developing and modernising the communication network of the whole country apart from diversifying it so that it could contribute a lot in enhancing the socio-economic condition of the people.

She mentioned that the government is implementing various massive programmes for the overall development of water, rail and airways.

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, Ambassador of Japan Ito Naoki and Railways secretary Md Selim Reza also spoke at the programme.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today (September 8, 2022) slammed the Indian government for not inviting her to be a part of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit.

Mamata also said she was curious to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government was "worried" about her meeting foreign dignitaries, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"I share an excellent relationship with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, but [the government] did not invite me to be a part of her visit," she said while addressing a special session of her party Trinamool Congress at the Netaji Subhash Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

"I don't want to talk about external affairs or bilateral ties. But I have noticed that the Centre tries to stop me whenever I am invited to any foreign country. I want to know why is the union government so worried about me meeting foreign dignitaries," Mamata said.

Hasina, who wrapped her four-day state visit to India today, had during an interaction with the media at the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi on September 6, said Mamata was like her sister and expressed disappointment over not being able to meet the West Bengal chief minister in Delhi.

In July this year, Hasina had written a letter to Mamata expressing her interest to meet the chief minister during her September visit to Delhi.

On the other hand, a senior official of the Indian government stated that the central government does not invite chief ministers for such events.

"Sometimes, chief ministers are invited for state banquets or some other ceremonial events but there was no such occasion during the visit of Hasina this time," the official pointed out.

"In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in fact invited [West Bengal] Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Bangladesh where a ceremonial event was held for flagging-off a bus service between the two countries," the official recalled.