Quader for freeing highways from illegal occupation

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday expressed frustration over illegal shops occupying the highways and unauthorised vehicles like Nasimon and Karimon using them.
Referring to the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway, which has recently been expanded into a dual carriageway, he said the expansion brought no result as both sides of the road had been occupied.
He was speaking to reporters after his ministry's conference with the deputy commissioners (DCs) at the Secretariat.
The minister's reaction came as a number of DCs had earlier proposed to construct new roads or expand the existing ones.
Quader said neither construction nor expansion of roads would be enough. “Discipline on the roads is more important for which we need to change our attitudes,” he observed.
Quader sought the cooperation of the DCs to rid the roads of congestion and hassles so that people could travel smoothly to their homes during this Eid. The minister said they were facing a different situation this year due to rain and congestion that made journeys difficult.
“Earlier, I talked about giving peace to the people heading home. However, peace has become elusive. This year we will try to reduce the plight of the people and give them comfort,” he added.
The DCs told railway ministry officials to take initiatives so that occupied land belonging to the railways could be recovered. Railway Minister Mujibul Haq assured them of taking necessary measures to that end.
Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury asked the DCs to encourage farmers to cultivate wheat and other high-value crops in the uplands during winter to increase yield.
She said large areas in the uplands remain barren during winter due to shortage of water for cultivating boro, resulting in less production. She suggested that the DCs ensure that every piece of cropland is cultivated.
Matia also informed the chiefs of the district administration that her ministry had plans to introduce saline and temperature tolerant wheat for the southern part of the country this year.
“We have already conducted trial production of the wheat in the south and the result is good. So, we are planning to expand wheat production in the southern region,” Matia told The Daily Star after her ministry's conference with the DCs.
Agriculture Secretary SM Nazmul Islam told the DCs that structures and buildings had been constructed on a vast area of agricultural land in the country, decreasing production.
Both the minister and the secretary suggested that the DCs look into the matter, said sources attending the meeting.