Damaged roads to be repaired before Eid: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said all damaged roads and highways will be readied before holy Eid-ul-Azha for smooth traffic of the homebound passengers.

“Currently 23 points of different national and regional highways from one to three kilometer are under flood water. The flood water wiped away some 18 points of northern roads and highways,” he told this emerging from an emergency meeting on flood and its damage and Eid preparation at his ministry's conference room here.

The minister said repair works are now going on day-night aimed at keeping the roads and the highways for vehicle movement during the Eid.

He hoped that all the damaged roads and highways would be repaired before the Eid for movement of motor vehicles if the rain comes again to disrupt the repair work. “There is no scope of setting up cattle market on or adjacent to the highways and cattle will not be allowed to transport on vehicles without fitness certificates.”

He asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders to grant Eid holidays in phases to avoid traffic jam during the Eid and also called upon the power and energy ministry to keep CNG refilling stations open for 24 hours nearby highways five days before and after the Eid ul Azha.

“Trucks, covered vans, lorries along with heavy vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the highways three days before the Eid to reduce traffic jam. Besides, vigilance teams would also be active at bus terminals to check charging extra fare from the Eid holidaymakers,” Quader said. Secretary of the division MAN Siddique, Roads and Highways chief engineer Ibne Alam Hasan, BRTA chairman M Mashiar Rahman, DTCA executive director Syed Ahmad and officials concerned were present at the meeting.

Source: BSS