United News of Bangladesh

Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said a policy on the battery-run rickshaws is being formulated and under that policy their movement on major roads and in important areas will have to be controlled. “We do not want to cause harm to anyone, but Dhaka city cannot be allowed to become dysfunctional for the interests of any particular group. That is the main point,” Rabiul said. The minister made the remarks after inaugurating the re-excavation work of Dhanmondi Lake in the capital in the morning. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam was present on the occasion. Rabiul said the vehicles are seriously disrupting the functioning of Dhaka and the government is concerned over it. Acknowledging that many people have been engaged in the profession for a long time and could face difficulties under the proposed restrictions, he said collective agreement is necessary to overcome the existing mismanagement. “If auto-rickshaws operate anywhere and everywhere in an uncontrolled manner in Dhaka, the city does not function,” he said. Responding to a question about Jamaat leader Golam Parwar's statements on battery-run auto-rickshaws, Rabiul said it is the opposition’s failure to understand citizens’ rights and the needs of Dhaka. “Such are their demands. They have always been unable to understand what should be said, what constitutes citizens’ rights, what is about protecting Dhaka and what is a genuine demand of citizens. That is why they have been the opposition since their birth as a political party, let alone being in government,” he said. He said Jamaat-e-Islami got the opportunity to become the main opposition party for the first time at the age of 85, questioning why the party has failed to understand public expectations over the years. “They never wanted to understand what people wanted. They neither understand during the Liberation War, nor after independence. They also failed to understand whom to support during the Ershad era and did not consider that government authoritarian. They failed to understand even after the one-eleven government. They understood somewhat in 2024, but lost the thread again. This is their political judgment,” he said. He said Dhanmondi Lake would be equipped with modern facilities after completion of its renovation and urged citizens to remain aware of the need to keep the lake and the city clean. “Modern facilities will be developed at the lake. All the facilities, including greenery, that a modern lake should have will be here,” he said. Rabiul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved two projects to fulfil the government’s commitments to improving the environment in Dhanmondi area. Asked about the project’s duration and budget, he said the two lake-centred projects, worth around Tk 83 crore, would take about two and a half years to complete. The work includes dredging, excavation, sludge removal and necessary infrastructure development. Some structures would also have to be newly built, including facilities around Nazrul Mancha which is currently abandoned. “There are some infrastructure facilities and lighting there. One task has to be completed before another because all the work cannot be done simultaneously,” he said. He said regular maintenance would be essential to preserve the lake’s greenery, facilities and pleasant environment, calling on citizens not to dump garbage or waste into the water. “Citizen awareness is very important. We should not throw garbage or waste into the lake. Those who come to the lake should remain alert and conscious so that we can preserve this pleasant environment,” he said. The minister called upon citizens to work together to keep Dhaka clean, usable and pleasant and to ensure that the lake’s facilities and beauty remain sustainable. Referring to waterlogging as a major problem in Dhaka during the monsoon, Rabiul said a separate Tk 350 crore project has been undertaken. The project aims to address waterlogging across a large part of Dhaka South, covering Dhanmondi, the low-lying areas of Hazaribagh and Chawkbazar, the area extending from Shikdar Medical College towards the embankment, and Kalabagan. “We are continuously working and taking up these projects to improve citizens’ quality of life and resolve the obstacles that are affecting it. Once these projects are implemented, Dhaka residents will certainly get a new Dhaka,” he said.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday said the present government is determined to accelerate infrastructural development while preventing wastage in construction works for the sake of the greater interest of the country. “The overall interest must be prioritized by avoiding unethical practices. Everyone must be sincere in preventing waste in construction works. The current government is committed to make infrastructural development and prevent wastage,” he said. The minister made this remark while addressing the closing ceremony of a seven-day induction training course organised for 32 newly recruited officers of the 44th BCS (Roads and Highways) cadre at the conference room of the Road Transport and Highways Division in the city. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister Congratulating the newly appointed officials, Shaikh Rabiul Alam asked them to fully engage themselves in their professional responsibilities soon after completing the training. “The state has developed you as engineers to serve its needs—this realisation must always remain in your minds,” he said. State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Habibur Rashid emphasised ensuring road safety to keep Bangladesh secure. “The closure of a single road causes immense suffering to tens of thousands of people. So, it needs to ensure uninterrupted traffic movement, maintain reasonable construction costs and guarantee safe infrastructure,” he said. Habibur Rashid expressed optimism that through the combined efforts of both new and senior officials, a safe and humane Bangladesh would be built under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Local people stage demo over alleged irregularities in road construction in Faridpur Another State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Md. Razib Ahsan also congratulated the new officers, expressing optimism that they would serve the country with their talent and professional competence. Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque presided over the closing ceremony attended, among others, by Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department Syed Moinul Hasan and Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited Faruk Ahmed, said a PID handout.

A case was filed against a young man for uploading ‘distorted images’ of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader on Facebook.