Accelerate the development of multimodal transport system integrating road, rail, air, and waterways, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed Sunday, alerting that chaotic communications could turn into noose around economy's neck.
The head of interim government spelt out the direction when a multimodal transport-development plan was placed at a high-level meeting, stressing the urgency of ensuring that nature, the environment and rivers remain free from any negative impact of such massive works.
Titled 'Central Integrated Multimodal Transport Sector Master Plan of Bangladesh', the plan was presented at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the state-guesthouse Jamuna.
For the megaproject to get going successfully, the meeting focused on terminal evaluation and strategic planning.
Attending the meeting were Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism Sheikh Bashiruddin, Adviser for Shipping Brigadier-General (Retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Road Transport, Bridges, and Railways Dr Sheikh Moinuddin, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT Foyez Ahmad Taiyeb. Secretaries and senior officials from the ministries concerned were present.
The BIDA chief, Ashiq Chowdhury, apprised the meeting that three new ports will be operational in Chattogram by 2030, and measures must be taken "swiftly to ensure smooth and effective road connectivity" from these ports.
About the deteriorating communications system across Bangladesh-especially marked by nagging tailbacks--the Chief Adviser said, "Our communications system is in a chaotic state. If we fail to bring order to it quickly, the entire system will become a noose around the neck of our economy."
He noted that this task must be accomplished without harming the environment and ecology. "No harm should be done to rivers--we must keep the waters calm and remember that water is one of our greatest assets."
During the meeting, the Roads and Highways Department presented a preliminary strategic plan, which was developed through coordination among the ministries concerned.
The plan illustrates how the country's entire communications system can be streamlined through integration of different transport modes and by making necessary adjustments and improvements where required.
It emphasizes that significant improvement is possible through optimal utilization and selective expansion of the existing rail, road, and waterway networks.
Commending the stakeholders for developing such an integrated plan, the Chief Adviser notes that the plan provides a strong initial framework. "Now we must take effective measures to implement it."
He stressed that the entire plan must be pursued with economic prosperity in mind, noting the importance of regional and global connectivity alongside domestic planning.
"When we think of rivers as a means of transport, we must always remember that rivers are our lifeline," the Chief Adviser told the meeting.
During discussion on the preliminary plan, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant, Dr Sheikh Moinuddin, said efforts were underway to establish a collective model for transportation, aiming to build an economic lifeline through coordinated development.
Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud emphasized the need for preparing quick plans in areas where constructing small roads could easily connect entire regions to the national network.
Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud said that to make local-government operations more organized, the ministry initiated the formation of a Planners' Wing under the Local Government Division.
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