Roads in Dhaka are wearing a deserted look as people have started to leave the capital to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones in their village homes. Some 20 lakh people are expected to leave Dhaka and surrounding areas by Thursday, said non-governmental organisation National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways.The number will increase further on Friday, it said.A huge number of people left the city from Tuesday afternoon as it was the last workday in government, semi-government and many private offices before the Eid-ul-Fitr..This year, the five-day Eid holiday started on Wednesday.According to the NCPSRR data, about 1.5 crore people from Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj visit their village homesevery year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Of these, 20 percent will go using waterways and 20 percent by railways.Mohammad Shahid Mia, president of NCPSRR said around 30 lakh people will leave Dhaka by waterways in nine days before Eid from April 13 to April 21. Among these, three lakh people will go to different coastal districts through Sadarghat Terminal every day and the remaining three lakh Eid holiday makers will go through Narayanganj river port.Besides, the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said, about 90 lakh people will leave Dhaka by road on Eid, which is 60 percent of the total Eidholiday makers.Meanwhile, about 30 lakh more people will go by train.Akhar Hussain, Assistant commissioner (traffic east) under traffic Uttara division said many people left Abdullahpur for Northern districts, Mymensingh Jamalpur, Sherpur and Netrokona districts Tuesday evening to midnight. Later, a large number of people left Abdullahpur for the same destinations from early Wednesday morning to 11:00 a.m. today Wednesday.However, the number of homebound people living Dhaka is relatively low now, it will increase in the evening, he said.Replying to a question the traffic police official said most of the buses left Abdullapur as per schedule .Assistant commissioner (Darus Salam zone) under Mirpur traffic division, Iftekharul Islam said rush of homebound people started early Wednesday and it continued till 8 am.He also said that most of the buses left Gabtoli for different destinations almost in time.Similarly sources at Saidabad bus stand said most of the buses left the terminal maintaining schedule for Chattogram and Sylhet road as well as other destinations.Similarly sources of the Kamalapur railway station said most of the trains left the station as per schedule from early morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that all roads in the haor region will be elevated for unobstructed water flow, aquaculture and maintaining smooth waterways. “I have already given directives that in every haor, beel and wetland area each and every road will be elevated,” she said. The prime minister said this while speaking at a programme on the occasion of inaugurating Bir Muktijoddha Abdul Hamid Cantonment at Mithamoin. She said that all roads will be elevated so that the water flow during the rainy season will not be hindered, movement of fish and boats will not be obstructed, and the local communication system will not be hampered. “… That way the communication system from the cantonment to Sylhet and Dhaka will be eased,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said that she thinks the cantonment in Mithamoin will play a pivotal role in maintaining overall security in the haor area. “Besides, our defence system in the north-eastern region will be strengthened,” she added. Read: President at Mithamain to welcome PM She said that people of the haor areas always struggle during natural disasters for survival.  The PM said that valiant Freedom fighter President Abdul Hamid has been elected repeatedly from the area since 1970, and served the masses. “Remaining by the people of this remote area and being the constant companion during their good and bad times, he worked tirelessly to change their fate,” she said. She mentioned that when he became the president, he wished to establish a cantonment in the area which would contribute to overall development of the region. “As per his wish, we have set up this cantonment,” the PM said. She said that the president has always played his role – whatever the post, deputy leader, deputy speaker, speaker and the president – with utmost sincerity. “He has finished two tenures as the president. We have decided to name the cantonment after him,” she said. The prime minister said that the president has had a major role in the country’s independence and in rebuilding the country after the Liberation War. “He is a devoted soul and leads an honest life to serve people of the country. We are very happy to name this cantonment after him.” The prime minister said that although Bangladesh believes in the global peace, unfortunately, the country’s advancement has been barred due to the coronavirus pandemic and worldwide recession following the Russia-Ukraine war. “The world is suffering from economic recession due to that. The prices of essentials and transportation costs have gone up significantly. Price of each and every item is out of reach,” she observed. In this connection he said that developed countries are also suffering the impact. She said that to avoid any unwanted situation in Bangladesh, she has urged all not to leave even a single inch of land uncultivated. Read: Apply innovative power, talents to build Bangladesh: PM to BCS officers The PM said that the government will move the economy forward so that the wave of recession does not severely impact the country. “We have to move with cautiousness, we have to maintain austerity and save our resources.” Sheikh Hasina said that the Awami League government has restructured the army as they have established 17 infantry divisions in Sylhet, 10 infantry divisions in Ramu and 7 infantry divisions in Barishal. She said that the government in the last four years has established 3 brigades and 58 small and large units under various formations.  At the same time, she said, they have established 27 small and big units as ad hoc and reorganised 9 organisations.  Last year, she said, they established Sheikh Russel Cantonment in Mawa-Jazira.  “At present, two new cantonments are in progress at Rajbari and Trishal,” she added. Sheikh Hasina said that they are working hard to modernise the army. So far, the army has procured state-of-the-art aircraft, helicopters, Tiger MLRS, Shorad Missiles, 4th generation tanks, APCs, missiles and other war equipment, she mentioned. Besides, advanced IT equipment and modern vehicles have been purchased, she said.   About the CMHs, the premier said that the hospitals have been equipped with modern medical equipment.  She said they have organised advanced training and accommodation, and constructed mess and SM barrack for army personnel of all ranks. “We have also increased other facilities including salary and ration.” Considering the Bengali diet, she said, “We have arranged two meals of rice and fish-meat instead of bread.” She also raised the flag, released balloons, inspected a parade and received salute. She planted a sapling there and signed the visitor’s book.  

Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader  has said the government  will not undertake any new road construction projects until the next national election and maintenance of the existing roads will get priority. “We have completed numerous development projects, now is the time to restore discipline on roads,” he told reporters after his meeting with the DCs at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Wednesday, the 2nd day of the 3-day DC Conference.  Deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to prioritize work to restore order on the roads,  said the minister.  “I told them I don’t want to construct more roads right now. Our main priority right now is road maintenance,” Quader, also the Awami League general secretary,  said. The minister said he instructed the DCs to focus on controlling movement of small vehicles like motorcycles on roads and highways. Also read: Must maintain good relations with India: Obaidul Quader Motorcycle movement in Dhaka city is under control now but people rarely wear helmets outside the capital, he said.  Quader asked that the secretaries to formulate  policy to regulate the movement of these vehicles instead of obstructing the sources of income of the poor. "It is DC's responsibility to control traffic jams and accidents involving these small vehicles," he added. "I am prioritizing restoring order in road transport," he said adding that small vehicles like motorcycles, easybikes, Nosimons, and Karimons should be brought under control. “We have built many roads and bridges. But if we cannot restore discipline, it will be all in vain. I asked for their cooperation in this regard,” he said.   

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday bemoaned the roads and highways in the country becoming death traps, as more and more lives are lost day by day in road accidents. “Life is no longer safe for someone out on the roads. Many lives are lost in accidents every day. It seems that no one is responsible for ensuring road safety,” he said. In a statement, the Jatiya Party Chief also voiced wonder that the daily loss of lives on roads has apparently become normalised. Read: Movement to continue until AL govt’s fall: Fakhrul “Even today (Monday), at least 10 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a head-on collision between two buses in Rangpur's Taraganj,” he said. Referring to statistics from the Road Safety Foundation, he said 519 people died in 458 road accidents in Bangladesh in August. Quader noted 172 of the deaths were in motorcycle accidents, that covered an incredible 40 percent of the total accidents – far out of proportion with the number of motorcycles  in relation to all other types of vehicles. He said though such statistics have caused concern among the guardians, the authorities seem unconcerned about  addressing  the problem. Read: Get ready for final push against AL govt: Fakhrul to BNP activists GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the number of accidents are growing due to mismanagement and corruption. "Bangladesh seems to be the world champion of mismanagement." He said thousands of crores are being collected every day as tolls, and that money is divided between different sectors. The Jatiya Party chief also said though those involved in the transport sector can change their fortune with toll money, the lives of common people remain insecure. “There is no visible initiative to secure the transport sector. A terrible uncertainty is created in the family of road accident victims. Every year thousands of people are getting crippled on the roads and they lead a helpless life afterwards,” he observed. GM Quader said the country’s people expect the government to take effective steps to make the roads and highways safe.

Two rounds of flood have caused extensive damages to roads and bridges in Sylhet division, disrupting road communication and causing sufferings to people. Some areas in Sylhet division are still under floodwater. Vehicles are plying on these roads with risk as flooding has created potholes on almost every road, said locals. According to a joint estimate by the Roads and Highways department (RHD), the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), a total of 1,600 kilometers of roads and  have been damaged in this year’s flooding in the Sylhet region, which is worth Tk 2,100 crore. The two rounds of flooding battered the region in May and June. Almost all the roads of Sylhet were submerged which severed Sylhet’s road link with the rest of the country. Although floodwater has receded from most of the areas, road communication is yet to return to its usual state. According to the LGED, SCC and RHD, around 1600 km roads and 2.5km bridges in the four districts of Sylhet division need repairing, which will cost approximately Tk 2,100 crore. Read: Flood situation worsens in Sylhet; low-lying areas in city inundated According to the SCC, 186.53km roads in Sylhet metropolitan area have been damaged. Besides, 96.72km drains, one km retaining wall, 60km footpaths and 82km water lines have been affected by floodwater. “Tk 328 crore is needed to repair these. We’ve already requested the ministry concerned for allocation,” said Nur Azizur Rahman, Chief Engineer of SCC. Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Engineer of Sylhet RHD, said roads under RHD worth Tk 550 crore were destroyed by the flood. “We’ve conducted departmental repairing works as temporary solution. Permanent repairs won’t be possible if we don’t get the required funds,” Mostafizur said. Flooding has ruined rural roads built by LGED the most. The length of these roads is at least 1,200km and the amount of losses is around Tk 1,000 crore.   Read: Floods in the northeast throw over 4.55 lakh students in Sylhet div into uncertainty “We’ve been able to mitigate the losses to some extent by using sandbags during the flooding. We’ve kept the roads useable through using bricks and sandbags in places where holes have emerged,” said Enamul Kabir, Executive Engineer of Sylhet LGED. 

Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam has directed the local authorities in Sylhet for cutting up roads if necessary to make way for floodwater to subside. He has also directed the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) to supply electricity to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital through generators as floodwater has snapped electricity supply to the hospital. Tajul provided these directives during a press briefing on the flood situation in Sylhet at his Minto Road residence in Dhaka today afternoon. According to the Minister, the Local Government Engineering Division (LGED) and the Sylhet City Corporation have been directed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to cut up any roads immediately due to which floodwater can’t retreat at this moment. “Officials of LGED and SCC are monitoring the flood situation in Sylhet closely. Separate control rooms have been opened at the Local Government Division and the Public Health Engineering Directorate under this Division in this regard,” said Tajul. Admitting that the flood situation in Sylhet-Sunamganj region has reached dangerous levels, Tajul also said that his ministry’s primary concern at this moment is to bring the flood-affected people from their homes to safe shelters and provide dried food, safe drinking water and water-purifying tablets to these people. Read: Sylhet: A city tries to cope with its worst flood in living memory “Public representatives, government officials, Army and Navy officials and volunteers are trying their best to help the flood-affected people. The government is also working to lessen the plight of these people through coordinating the works of the LGED Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry and the Shipping Ministry,” added Tajul. Replying to a question, the Minister said that the government has been able to take prompt steps due to its advance preparedness. “The government will allocate necessary resources for any damages of the communication systems in Sylhet region due to the flood,” Tajul mentioned.   The Minister also praised the journalists, saying that it is due to the media personnel that the government gets to know about any emergency situations in due time.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is collecting information about the illegally occupied streets under the corporation to recover them for widening.  DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam directed the ward councillors to gather the information at a virtual board meeting recently. READ: Remove haphazard overhead cables by June 30: DNCC mayor Atiqul expressed concern over the grabbing of some city streets allegedly by owners of buildings deviating from RAJUK's design. DNCC has decided to recover those roads and ensure their width according to the actual design, he said. READ: Atiqul renews his vow: All canals under DNCC to be recovered After the list is prepared, the councillors of the concerned wards in collaboration with the property department of the DNCC will ensure the widening of the roads by removing illegal occupants, the mayor added.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Friday warned that the authorities would sell any construction materials, shops or establishment at auction immediately which will be left on footpaths or roads.

Dhaka, Oct 1 (UNB) – City dwellers witnessed heavy rains for about two hours on Tuesday that inundated roads and lanes in many parts of the capital triggered huge traffic tailbacks.