Repair of damaged roads to be completed three days before Eid
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said repair work on all dilapidated roads will be completed within three days before Eid.
“We have to keep our men ready day and night, so that the roads can be repaired with some extra work,” Quader said.
“People will go home worried [about dengue], and if we fail to make the roads pliable, their sufferings will only increase,” he added.
Quader was briefing reporters after an Eid preparatory meeting at his ministry. Government and police officials, transport owners’ and worker leaders attended the meeting.
A total of 565km of roads and highways under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) have been damaged by floods across the country.
Quader, during the meeting, claimed that no highways were affected by the flood and said highways across the country are in good shape. However, data of RHD central control room showed 107km of national highways were indeed affected.
The data shows, 51km of regional highways and 405km of district roads were affected by flood till July 31.
Quader said there are many district roads which are yet to be pliable and asked RHD chief engineer, who was present at the meeting, to work round the clock to make those roads fit for vehicular movement.
Saying that most damaged roads in rural areas are under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Quader hoped LGED will look into the matter.
The minister said that ignoring government directives, some people are planning to set up cattle markets on or next to highways which may halt traffic movement.
“Authorities concerned have to come forward in this regard, so that no one can set up cattle markets violating rules,” he said.
He asked authorities to take necessary steps so that no unfit vehicle can transport animals during Eid rush. Work of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from Airport to Gazipur will remain stalled till Eid, he said.
Quader said action would be taken through mobile courts, if any bus company charges extra fare from passengers.
The minister said following government request, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has decided to grant leave to all garment workers gradually -- to ease pressure on roads and transports.
He said, following BGMEA’s request, 151 BRTC buses have already been allocated for garment workers during Eid rush.
TRANSPORT OWNERS WANT HIKE IN FARE
Khondker Enayet Ullah, secretary general of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, said prices of everything increased centring Eid, so time has come to set “seasonal fare” for transport.
He said they have written to the ministry to hike the fare in line with the increased prices of essentials.
The minister said they will take decision in this regard after Eid. Former Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, also the executive president of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, demanded that toll collection at Buriganga bridge should be stopped for a few days before Eid, as it will cause traffic jam.
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