United News of Bangladesh

National, regional and district-level highways across the country will be brought under CCTV surveillance in phases to improve road safety and discipline, Road Transport, Rail and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Monday. “We are planning to bring national highways under CCTV coverage on a priority basis. Later, regional highways and then district highways will be covered gradually,” Shaikh Rabiul said, while briefing journalists after the fifth session of this year's Deputy Commissioners’ Conference. Day two of this important annual event that serves as a prolonged, comprehensive brainstorming was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The session was attended by officials from the Road Transport and Highways Division, the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Shipping. Addressing traffic discipline on highways, he said efforts are underway to stop the movement of three-wheelers on major roads, but enforcement remains challenging. Three-wheelers still find their way onto highways, which makes full control difficult. However, the situation has improved compared to earlier times, he said, adding that steps are being taken to gradually regulate their movement. The minister also said road expansion demands in Bangladesh are significant, but financial constraints remain a major challenge. In the last two months alone, proposals submitted by MPs for road widening projects would require around Tk 3 lakh crore. But the budget allocation is far lower, around Tk 40,000 crore, he said. He stressed the need for prioritisation and transparency in project implementation. “We must work based on priority. The government is committed to implementing projects transparently, impartially and based on necessity,” he added. The minister also raised concerns over the installation of speed breakers without proper assessment. “In many cases, speed breakers are being installed unnecessarily and without considering actual requirements,” he said.  

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Monday said many problems can easily be resolved if the ruling party and the opposition reach a consensus on key issues in the greater interest of the country. "To institutionalise democracy, Parliament must be strengthened. When the opposition and the ruling parties reach a consensus in Parliament, many problems are solved. The formation of a special committee on energy has solved the country's energy problems," he said. The Chief Whip made the remarks when a delegation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on him at his office, according to a press release. He stressed the need for building mutual trust among all, saying without trust it will be difficult to take the country forward. “Democracy is essential for ensuring good governance,” he added. Focusing on the current challenges, Moni said Bangladesh faces various environmental and economic problems. “The government has been providing financial support to reduce poverty through initiatives like Family Card and Farmers’ Card. The current government has also undertaken programmes like tree plantation and canal excavation to protect the environment,” he added. During the meeting, different issues, including strengthening Parliament, e-governance, e-parliament, poverty alleviation, environmental development, freedom of speech, parliamentary sessions and rules of procedure, were discussed. UNDP representatives present at the meeting included Assistant Resident Representative Anowarul Haq, Assistant Programme Adviser (Governance) Dragan Popovic and Project Manager Mahmudul Hasan.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday reiterated that Bangladesh looked forward to a mutually beneficial and forward-looking relationship with India. He made the remarks when outgoing High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, paid a farewell call on the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister congratulated the Indian High Commissioner on completing his tenure in Dhaka. Govt advancing ties with India based on fairness, mutual respect: FM The Indian High Commissioner expressed his gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for cooperation and support extended to him throughout his tenure and reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister wished the High Commissioner success in his future endeavours.

Energy experts and civil society leaders on Monday called on the government to slash import duties on solar equipment, streamline investor services and mobilise redirected fossil-fuel subsidies if Bangladesh is to achieve its target of generating 10,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030. Speaking at a press briefing at the Jatiya Press Club, they described the target as ambitious yet achievable, warning that bureaucratic bottlenecks, high tariffs and a lack of grid modernisation remain the principal obstacles to a timely transition away from imported fossil fuels. Solar power offers way out of energy trap: Hossain Zillur Rahman The event was jointly organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) and the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD). Energy expert Dr Ijaz Hossain said integrating 10,000 MW of solar capacity into the national grid could substantially reduce the country's expenditure on LNG and coal imports. “Solar power is no longer an alternative, it is set to become the backbone of Bangladesh's energy system,” he said, stressing the need for battery storage systems to make surplus daytime generation available at night and to maintain grid stability. Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said thousands of megawatts could be unlocked simply by tapping rooftop space on garment factories and large industrial plants. He argued that strengthening net metering policies would incentivise industrial owners to invest, reducing pressure on the public purse and cutting production costs. Dipal Chandra Barua, Founder and Chairman of the Bright Green Energy Foundation, addressed concerns over land scarcity by highlighting the agro-voltaics model, under which shade-tolerant crops are cultivated beneath solar panels. He also pointed to riverine char areas and floating solar projects as viable sites for large-scale generation. Climate finance expert M Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive of the Change Initiative, said reallocating even a fraction of the subsidies currently directed to fossil fuels could finance the solar push without recourse to foreign loans. He cautioned that over-reliance on large, import-dependent projects posed a long-term risk to energy security, and said rooftop and irrigation-based solutions could deliver visible results within three to six months if there is adequate administrative will. Mustafa Al Mahmud, President of BSREA, identified high import duties on solar panels and inverters as a leading deterrent, saying investors are further discouraged by lengthy multi-agency approval processes. He called for a fast-track, one-stop service to facilitate renewable energy investment. Lipi Rahman of JETnet-BD stressed that the gains from the 10,000 MW target must not accrue solely to large industrial players. She called for the deliberate inclusion of marginalised women, smallholder farmers and micro-entrepreneurs to ensure the transition is equitable. Experts concluded that the 2030 solar target is technically within reach but will require a coordinated, bureaucracy-free roadmap centred on grid modernisation, decentralised community-based systems and strong political commitment.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on Monday said the country’s democratic advancement was upheld through the February general election. “Through the parliamentary election held in February 2026, the country’s democratic progress was upheld. During the past 16 years under the Awami League government, people’s democratic rights were undermined,” he said. The Speaker made the remarks when Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar H Bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on him at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, according to a press release. Australian Speaker Milton Dick meets Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad

A 26-year-old physician was found dead at a house in the Shahbagh area of the capital on Monday. The deceased was identified as ABM Abid Hasan Jisan, 26, son of Ahsan Habib of Sadar upazila in Chuadanga district. Jisan used to live in a flat at Eureka Saleha Palace on the Habibullah Road with his colleagues. His colleague Hafizur said Jisan was working as a physician at Popular Hospital Medical College Hospital at Dhanmondi after completing his MBBS from Kushtia Medical College under 2018-19 session. Dipto Sinha, a roommate of Jisan, found him unconscious on his bed around 2:30pm. Later, they took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors pronounced him dead, he said, adding that he was unaware whether the deceased had consumed anything prior to his death. Dipto also claimed that Jisan was suffering from hypertension, saying he found him speaking with his family while leaving the room in the morning. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body was kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

The flood situation in parts of the haor region, including Sunamganj, Sylhet and Netrokona, remains concerning as several rivers continue to flow above the pre-monsoon danger level amid ongoing rainfall, according to the latest forecast from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). At present, several rivers are flowing above the pre-monsoon danger level, including the Naljur River at Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, the Baulai River at Khaliajuri, the Bhugai-Kangsha River at Jariajanjail, the Someshwari River at Kalmakanda, the Magra River at Netrokona and Atpara, the Kalni-Kushiyara River at Ajmiriganj, and the Sutang River at the Sutang Railway Bridge in Habiganj. Among the major rivers in the haor basin of the northeastern region, the water levels of the Surma-Kushiyara and Dhanu-Baulai rivers have increased, while the water levels of the Bhugai-Kangsha have decreased. Over the past 24 hours, moderate to heavy rainfall has been observed both upstream (Agartala, Tripura) and within the haor basin, the FFWC said on Monday. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and global weather agencies, moderate to moderately heavy rainfall is expected over the next one day, followed by moderately heavy to heavy rainfall over the subsequent two days in this region. The water levels of the Surma-Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may continue to rise over the next three days. On the 2nd day, the Kushiyara may exceed the pre-monsoon danger level at some locations, potentially causing flooding in haor-adjacent low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, the forecast says. The water levels of the Bhugai-Kangsha and Someshwari rivers in Netrokona district may remain stable over the next three days. However, flooding conditions in the haor-adjacent low-lying areas of the Bhugai-Kangsha basin in Netrokona may persist. Similarly, the water levels of the Dhanu-Baulai rivers in Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts may remain stable over the next three days, and flooding conditions in the haor-adjacent low-lying areas of this basin may continue. The water levels of the Manu, Khowai, and Juri rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may remain stable over the next two days and increase on the 3rd day. The Juri River may rise rapidly and reach the warning level within the next 72 hours. The water level of the Sutang River may increase over the next one day and then decrease over the following two days. However, since it is already flowing above the pre-monsoon danger level, flooding conditions in Habiganj district may persist, according to the FFWC forecast.  

The country on Monday recorded 17 deaths from measles and similar symptoms, the highest single-day toll since the outbreak of the highly contagious but preventable disease in March this year. Of the new deaths recorded in the 24 hours till 8:00am on Monday, two were confirmed as measles-related, while the remaining 15 were classified as suspected, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the suspected deaths, highest 10 were recorded in Dhaka district. With this, the total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 52 and suspected deaths to 259 since March 15. According to DGHS data, a total of 1,302 suspected measles cases were recorded in the past 24 hours. Since March 15, the total number of suspected cases has reached 41,793. Over 81% children vaccinated against measles: Health Minister During this period, 154 new confirmed measles cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 5,467. Since March 15, a total of 28,832 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised, while 25,151 of them have recovered.

Industries, Commerce, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday said the government is moving ahead with a coordinated and timely action plan to revive the country’s industrial sector, stabilise markets and ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities. “Reviving sick and closed industries to boost production and employment remains one of the government’s top priorities,” he said while talking to journalists after the fourth session of the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ (DCs) Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The minister said the process of gradually handing over around 50 closed and loss-making textile and jute mills to the private sector is underway. “This initiative will attract new investment, increase production and create large-scale employment opportunities,” he said, adding that the process is expected to be completed within a year. Referring to proposals from deputy commissioners, Muktadir said they presented practical suggestions based on local realities, including industrial revival, development of new industrial zones, reopening of closed sugar mills and establishment of distilleries to enhance export potential. “The government will give due consideration to these proposals,” he added. Emphasising structural reforms in market management, the minister said the government is planning to introduce an AI-based supply chain monitoring system to reduce price gaps from producers to retail levels. “This system will enable close monitoring of imports, stock, wholesale and retail stages, ensuring transparency and accountability in the market,” he said. A strategic reserve for import-dependent goods is being developed to face the situation in case of any global market volatility, Muktadir said, adding that this will help prevent shortages and maintain price stability even during international supply disruptions. Regarding the activities of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), he said a strong advisory council will be formed, comprising experts from both public and private sectors. “This will make TCB’s market interventions more effective, timely and targeted,” he said. Ahead of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the minister outlined a special plan for proper preservation of raw hide, saying efforts are underway to ensure that no hide goes to waste. Training will be provided through district and upazila administrations to mosque and madrasah stakeholders, he said. Government-supplied salt, awareness leaflets and media campaigns will also be used, he said, adding that transport of hides will be regulated for seven days after Eid to ensure local preservation. Stressing stronger roles of district administration in maintaining market stability, Muktadir said, “The administration and elected government will work together to keep supply chains active and protect consumer interests. This is our commitment.”

Power generation at the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Dinajpur has come to a complete halt again following a boiler tube explosion in Unit-1, officials said. Though the power generation was suspended on Saturday night, the matter was disclosed on Monday. Chief Engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique said a boiler tube in Unit-1 burst on Saturday night, forcing the suspension of electricity generation. Frequent mechanical faults have disrupted operations at the coal-fired plant, which has a total installed capacity of 525 megawatts. Of the plant’s three units, only the 125MW Unit-1 had been in operation. The 125MW Unit-2 remained shut for the past five years, while the 275MW Unit-3 is currently out of service due to ongoing overhaul and maintenance work. It may take around five days to resume production at the Unit-1 after necessary repairs, , as the overheated boiler water needs to be cooled and the damaged tube replaced, he said. Earlier, on April 25, another tube in the same unit exploded, halting power generation for six days. The unit resumed operation around 10:00pm on Friday after repairs, supplying 55-60MW of electricity to the national grid. However, within 24 hours, another tube burst, leading to a fresh shutdown. Each unit contains numerous tubes that carry steam generated in the boiler to the turbine, officials said. The power plant was commissioned in 2006 to utilise coal extracted from the nearby Barapukuria coal mine and to support irrigation in eight agriculturally-prone northern districts. Initially, electricity generation began with two 125MW units. A third unit with a capacity of 275MW was added in 2017 to meet growing power demand. However, due to recurring faults and other issues, the plant has never been able to operate at its full capacity, officials added.