Dhaka
Dhaka receives assurances of continued French-German support on dev journey
France and Germany have agreed to individually widen their bilateral relations with Bangladesh and assured of standing beside the country on its development journey.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said this after holding separate meetings with German Ambassador Achim Tröster and French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy at his office in Segunbagicha on Thursday (January 25, 2024).
Read: ‘Lobbyist-backed’ statement on Dr Yunus won’t impact FDI, Hasan Mahmud says
The two most important European ambassadors discussed issues related to trade and investment, climate change, security cooperation and cooperation in the aviation and education sector.
Responding to a question on Bangabandhu Satellite-2, the foreign minister said this is definitely a priority for the government of Bangladesh and hoped that the discussions with France in this regard will see further progress.
On purchasing aircraft from the European aviation giants Airbus, the foreign minister said Bangladesh will buy when the country's economy permits.
Asked if the decision to buy the planes was final, Hasan Mahmud said such 'final decisions' on purchase are not taken at the Foreign Ministry.
The two ambassadors also handed over congratulatory letters from their respective heads of government.
Read: BD, UK vow to deepen ties at FM Hasan’s meet with HC Cooke
Both these countries are major development and trade partners of Bangladesh and the ambassadors discussed widening the relations in the coming days, Hasan Mahmud said.
Talking to reporters, French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy said France wants to start a new exchange programme for young teachers and students with Bangladesh.
Over ‘350-year-old’ Dhaka Gate opens to visitors
Historic Dhaka Gate, also known as Mir Jumla Gate or Ramna Gate, was opened to the public on Wednesday (January 24, 2024).
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh re-inaugurated the gate by unveiling the cover of the main stone.
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Lime, betel nut, khoir, molasses, and Maddhapara granite stone chips are the materials used in the reconstruction of the Dhaka Gate
The Dhaka Gate is located at the intersection of the Curzon Hall of Dhaka University, the Suhrawardy Uddyan and the Science Library.
Dhaka among four divisions shivering in cold wave conditions
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has reported that a mild cold wave is currently affecting four divisions and several districts across the country, as of the morning of January 23, 2024. This weather pattern, characterized by lower temperatures and dense fog, is expected to continue and may abate in some areas.
According to the latest weather bulletin, the mild to moderate cold wave is impacting Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions, along with the districts of Moulvibazar, Barishal, Bhola, and Cumilla. This season’s lowest temperature of 6.6 degrees Celsius was recorded today in Chuadanga and Sirajganj, contrasting with the highest temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila.
The BMD classifies a mild cold wave as temperatures ranging from 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, a moderate cold wave from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, and a severe cold wave as temperatures falling below 6 degrees Celsius.
Read: Record-breaking low temperatures trigger school closures across Bangladesh
Alongside the cold wave, moderate to thick fog is expected to blanket the country from midnight to morning, potentially persisting until noon in some areas. This fog poses significant challenges to air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication.
There is a slight expectation of rising night and day temperatures across the country. Furthermore, the BMD forecasts light rain or drizzle in one or two places over the Khulna division, while the rest of the country is likely to experience dry weather with partly cloudy skies.
Residents, especially in the northern part of Bangladesh, have been facing severe cold for the last few days. This weather phenomenon has significantly disrupted normal life, affecting daily routines and transport services.
Read: Govt changes class schedule for primary schools due to cold wave
SC upholds HC order for demolishing Gulshan Shopping Centre
The Appellate Division on Monday (January 22, 2024) upheld the High Court order that ordered demolition of the Gulshan Shopping Centre in Dhaka's Gulshan-1 within 30 days.
A five-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order following a petition filed by the owners challenging the HC order.
In July 2023, two companies namely Bani Chitra and Films filed a writ seeking the HC directive to demolish Gulshan Shopping Centre citing safety concerns.
HC issues rule on inaction of the authorities to control fireworks and lanterns
Following the writ, on Dec 13, the HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Ataullah ordered the demolition of the center within a month.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Rajuk and others were asked to implement this directive.
On July 13, 2023, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in a mobile court drive sealed off the shopping centre as it was found risky.
HC orders Dhaka court to hear bail pleas of Mirza Abbas, Annie
Regional Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate Zulkar Nayan and Executive Magistrate Md Mahbub Hasan conducted the mobile court.
In 2021, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence declared the market risky and abandoned due to the dilapidated building and lack of fire fighting system and sent a letter to the DNCC to take legal action regarding the issue on an urgent basis.
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Zulkar Nayan, regional executive officer and executive magistrate of Zone-3, said, "The shop owners were instructed repeatedly to vacate the building to prevent any kind of humanitarian disaster as the Gulshan-1 shopping centre is risky, but they did not vacate it."
PM inaugurates month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (January 21, 2024) inaugurated the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal.
Five foreign countries -- Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore and Iran -- alongside local companies are taking part in the 28th edition of the fair where exhibitors will showcase products. Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, is also participating in it.
The Prime Minister also declared Handicrafts Products as the product of the year for 2024.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) AHM Ahsan were also present on dais.
Read: 4 Bangladeshi businesses participate in Mandalay International Trade Fair
The fair will continue from January 21 to February 20. The Ministry of Commerce and the EPB have been organising trade fairs since 1995.
The DITF usually commences on 1 January each year. However, the EPB postponed the fair due to the 12th national elections held on January 7.
The trade fair will run from 10 am to 9 pm daily and to 10 pm on weekends. The entry fee is Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children. Freedom fighters and the physically challenged people need no fee.
BRTC buses have been arranged from Farmgate and Kuril Biswa Road to the fair premises for the convenience of general visitors.
Read: BGMEA, Oxfam discuss ways to collaborate with buyers to make trade fairer
A total of 330 stalls have been allotted along with 23 pavilions and 27 mini pavilions.
There will also be 15 food stalls of different categories which can accommodate up to 500 people.
There are also a prayer room, children's playground, media corner, office rooms, medical rooms, guest-rooms for officials, and stores.
The parking area can provide facilities for 500 vehicles.
Read more: Month-long trade fair in Chattogram kicks off today
Remove rickety buses from Dhaka streets, says Jatri Kallyan Samiti
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS), a passengers' welfare platform, on Saturday (January 20, 2024) demanded the government introduce 5,000 new high-quality buses on the streets under a company with the government's management by removing existing rickety vehicles from the capital.
Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand in a press conference organised at the city's Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning.
In a written statement, he said that the current government has pledged that the country will join the ranks of developed countries by 2026.
The government is determined to improve the public transport system in Dhaka and elsewhere.
Quoting a JICA survey, the BJKS's secretary general said that there are currently 4 crore daily passenger trips in the capital.
Consumer protection a top priority at DITF: Commerce State Minister
There is a huge scope for transport business, and the transportation system of the city can be changed overnight through bus service if only extortion is stopped and dedicated bus lanes can be introduced, he said.
There are examples of owning 600-800 buses of many transport companies in Bangladesh after they started plying on the streets with one bus.
However, the state transport agency BRTC is not able to operate buses under its own management and is leasing them out to private individuals and institutions. The number of these buses is decreasing due to lack of maintenance, he added.
Dutch NGOs reaffirm interests in Bangladesh
He urged the government, instead of bureaucracy in the management of BRTC, if BRTC can be managed by appointing managers with technical knowledge and experience in managing bus companies from the international market. it will play a major role in the passenger transport sector besides making BRTC profitable, he said.
The BJKS said that due to incompetence of leadership, inefficiency of management, lack of proper monitoring and monopolistic dominance of political contractors, corruption is going on.
The new government has made political commitment to establish good governance in these sectors.
”We want to see the reflection of this commitment of the government by ensuring quality and accountability in every project involving road, rail, sea and air,” he added.
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Dhaka, Delhi ties growing from strength to strength: Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Saturday (January 20, 2024) said Bangladesh-India relations are growing from strength to strength.
"Look forward to receiving him (Dr Hasan Mahmud) in Delhi soon," he said as he met his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud on the sidelines of the 19th NAM Summit.
Jaishankar said he is glad to meet with his new Bangladesh counterpart, Hasan Mahmud in Kampala, Uganda.
"Congratulated him on his appointment and wished him all success," said the Indian External Affairs Minister.
Both the ministers discussed various issues of mutual interests and ways to carry forward the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They also discussed the upcoming visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister to New Delhi.
Hasan Mahmud led the Bangladesh delegation to the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held on January 19-20.
He will also lead the third South Summit of the G77 and China scheduled to be held on January 21-22.
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Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Muhammad A Muhith and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya and Uganda, among others, are accompanying the Foreign Minister.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud is scheduled to leave for New Delhi, India on February 7 – the first bilateral visit by the minister after his appointment – to further strengthen Bangladesh-India relations.
“It’s likely to be a three-day visit,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 18, noting that the agenda of the visit is yet to be finalised.
The Foreign Minister said he will be visiting the country at the invitation of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Asked whether he will have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit, Mahmud said, “It is too early to say.”
Jaishankar, earlier, invited his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud to visit New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended the invitation on behalf of the Indian External Affairs Minister on Monday.
The Foreign Minister accepted the invitation and told him that he would visit Delhi soon.
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Dhaka Metro Rail extends service hours on Uttara-Motijheel route; here are the timings
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced an expansion in the operational hours of the Metro Rail services on the Uttara North-Motijheel route.
Starting January 20, the services will be available from 7:10 am to 8:00 pm every day except Friday, as stated by MAN Siddique, Managing Director of DMTCL, during a press conference at the Probashi Kalyan Bhaban on Thursday.
The morning service will commence with two metro trains departing from Uttara North Metro Rail Station at 7:10 am and 7:20 am, heading towards Motijheel. These trains will make stops at all stations and can only be accessed using MRT/Rapid Pass.
Metro rail’s Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh stations to open Dec 31
From Motijheel, train services will start at 7:30 am and operate at designated intervals until 8:00 pm. The evening schedule includes four metro trains leaving Motijheel Metrorail Station at 8:10 pm, 8:20 pm, 8:30 pm, and 8:40 pm, traveling back to Uttara North, stopping at each station en route.
Passengers wishing to board these evening trains must have either an MRT Pass/Rapid Pass or a Single Journey Ticket, purchased before 7:45 pm on the day of travel. Post 7:45 pm, ticketing offices and sales machines will be closed.
Previously, Metro Rail services on the Agargaon-Motijheel route were operational from 7:00 am to 11:30 am at 10-minute intervals. This extension aims to offer greater convenience to commuters traveling between Uttara and Motijheel.
New Metro Rail Station at Dhaka University: A milestone in student connectivity
Dhaka Metro Rail currently serves 16 stations: Uttara North, Uttara Center, Uttara South, Pallabi, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbag, Dhaka University, Bangladesh Secretariat, and Motijheel. An ongoing expansion project is set to include Kamalapur in the network soon.
The Dhaka Metro Rail began operating on the Uttara to Agargaon section on November 29, 2022, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurating the services a day prior. Similarly, the segment between Agargaon and Motijheel, which started serving passengers on November 5, 2023, was also inaugurated by the Prime Minister the day before its public launch.
With Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh Stations opening today, Dhaka Metro Rail ends 2023 with a milestone
'BNP agent’: Quader calls TIB
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (January 18, 2024) said that the report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) is “one-sided and anti-government.”
“They (TIB) are agents of BNP,” he said at a press briefing at the Awami League president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi this afternoon.
“TIB speaks in the tune of BNP. History says that they were always against Awami League. They speak for BNP. We could not find impartiality of their research,” said the AL leader.
“There are some organisations that talk about accidents. If a hundred die, they say five hundred died. TIB is like them. TIB and CPD said Padma Bridge is impossible. Filing a case doesn’t solve everything. Some are said for public perception. They will be dealt with politically,” he said.
Read more: Top 5% contractors account for 26% market share in government procurement: TIB
TIB in its report on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary election was “not free and not inclusive.”
Quader acknowledged the existence of political tactics and conflicts within parties, asserting, “Conflicts are inherent in politics, and Awami League navigates through them under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party remains united in addressing challenges wherever they arise.”
Addressing upcoming local government elections, Quader said, “Decisions regarding local government elections, including upazilas, and the use of party symbols will be finalized in the Awami League board meeting.”
When asked who would be the opposition party in the parliament, Quader responded, “Clarity on the opposition party will emerge once the session commences.”
Regarding commodity prices, Quader noted, “Sheikh Hasina has provided instructions on commodity prices. Ministries are formulating action plans based on the ground reality, including price control measures.”
Read more: Even if action can’t be taken now, strong measures will be taken after election: Quader on those whose wealth saw abnormal increase
The press briefing was attended by AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, among other leaders.
Weather forecast for 72 hrs: What BMD is saying about rain in Dhaka, other places
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted a dynamic weather pattern for the coming 72 hours, starting at 9 am today (January 18, 2024), impacting various regions of the country including Dhaka.
According to a recent BMD bulletin, “Rain or thundershowers are expected in several areas, with Khulna and Barishal divisions likely to experience scattered showers. Isolated rain or thundershowers may occur in Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions. Meanwhile, other regions can expect mainly dry conditions with temporary partly cloudy skies.”
The bulletin also warns of moderate to thick fog affecting many areas from midnight to morning. A mild cold wave is currently sweeping through the Rangpur division, as well as the districts of Kishoreganj and Noagaon, with potential to persist.
Dinajpur recorded the country’s lowest temperature today at 8 degrees Celsius.
Double Trouble: Cold wave and heavy rains disrupt life in Chuadanga
Transport sectors, including air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication, face potential disruptions due to foggy conditions.
Temperatures are expected to fall slightly in the north-northeastern regions, while remaining relatively stable in other parts of Bangladesh.
Furthermore, the BMD anticipates “cold day conditions” in certain areas, highlighting the need for residents to prepare for a range of weather scenarios.
Kurigram farmers worried as cold wave and dense fog threaten seedbeds