Govt giving priority to build improved roads: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the government has given priority to constructing improved roads and highways for smooth plying of high-standard vehicles so that the passengers could travel comfortably.

"To allow plying quality vehicles, it is a must to improve the conditions of roads and highways," he told the launching ceremony of world-renowned Scania vehicles in Bangladesh.

The minister launched the luxurious vehicles as the chief guest at a function held at the Carnival Hall of Bangabandhu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.

Quader said the government is constructing Padma bridge and also elevated express way to bring ease to the life of the people as well as enhance trade and commerce and thus boost the country`s growth.

He said the construction of Joydevpur-Mymensingh 4-lane highways has almost been completed and that of Dhaka-Chittagong highway is in progress as the government is sincerely working to this end.

"Overall uplift of the transportation and communication system is vital for the economic development," he added.

Pointing out that the mayors of Dhaka South and North have launched strong drives to remove all billboards, he said his ministry would provide all cooperation in this regard.

The minister said Shohag Group has been contributing a lot by introducing world-class vehicles in the country and this is adding new dimensions to the public transport system.

Aslamul Haque, lawmaker from Dhaka-14 and Johan Frisell, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh, were present at the ceremony as special guests.

Md. Faruk Talukdar Sohel, managing director of Innovative Motors & Shohagh Group chaired the inaugural session while Mikhail Kiander, sales director of Scania Commercial Vehicle, were present.

Scania buses and trucks with a capacity of 310-410 horsepower being introduced in Bangladesh are less fuel-consuming and environment-friendly, Faruk Talukdar Sohel mentioned.

Scania, a global company with a sales and service organisation in more than 100 countries, offers sales and services, financial services in many markets. Scania`s production units are located in Europe and Latin America.

The company has approximately 42,000 employees, of whom some 18,400 work with sales and services in Scania`s own subsidiaries worldwide. About 12,400 people work at production units in seven countries and regional product centres in six emerging markets.