The government on Tuesday unveiled a broad range of policy initiatives and sectoral achievements spanning energy, health, transport, agriculture, education and public administration, signalling its continued focus on accelerating reforms and expanding infrastructure.
Addressing the weekly briefing at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Prime Minister's Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said coordinated implementation across ministries was helping improve public services, expand infrastructure and strengthen macroeconomic stability despite external challenges.
He said the government had begun preparations for transitioning towards nuclear power generation. Authorities have been instructed to modernise the national transmission and distribution network to ensure the safe integration of nuclear electricity into the national grid.
The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has been tasked with preparing technical studies and a concept paper, which will later be reviewed by international nuclear energy experts before any major infrastructure upgrades are undertaken.
Dr Rahman said preventive measures were also being strengthened to reduce the risk of system failures through improved coordination and long-term planning.
On consumer relief measures, he said the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had maintained existing electricity tariffs for lifeline and first-tier residential users.
He added that the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder had been reduced from Tk 1,940 to Tk 1,885.
In contrast, petrol and octane prices have been increased by Tk 5 per litre in line with international market trends, while diesel prices remain unchanged.
In the financial sector, the government has recently reconstituted the leadership of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) with the appointment of a new chairman and three commissioners, aiming to strengthen capital market governance.
He also informed the briefing that Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had signed financing agreements worth $1.4 billion covering economic management, social protection, transport connectivity and urban development.
A nationwide training programme for 12,000 teachers under the National University curriculum was launched on 7 June, focusing on skills-based learning to improve graduate employability, he said.
The health sector is also set for significant expansion, with plans to upgrade all remaining 31-bed and 50-bed upazila health complexes into 100-bed facilities.
The government is also advancing a locally developed electric ambulance project with technical support from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
A nationwide dengue clinical management training programme has been launched for physicians, with expanded sessions planned across all divisions, he added.
Dr Rahman said the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority had strengthened monitoring during the Eid-ul-Azha period through a 24-hour control room, helping ensure smoother highway movement and curb overcharging by transport operators.
Electronic toll collection systems also improved traffic flow on the Padma and Jamuna bridges, with more than 14,000 vehicles using ETC lanes and generating over Tk 20 million in revenue during the Eid travel rush.
He said several major infrastructure projects had advanced during the reporting period, including the proposed Second Jamuna Bridge, the Second Padma Bridge on the Paturia-Daulatdia route, the Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway and the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway.
Dr Rahman said more than 477 kilometres of canals had been excavated or re-excavated under various programmes, while over 577,000 trees had been planted through 13 agricultural projects.
Water management initiatives, including the Teesta Master Plan and canal restoration works, are also progressing.
He informed the briefing that food security indicators remained stable, with government grain stocks standing at 1.87 million tonnes as of 7 June, well above strategic reserve requirements.
Open Market Sale (OMS) operations continue through 1,100 distribution points nationwide, providing subsidised rice and flour to low-income groups.
Referring to post-Eid waste management, he said large-scale clean-up operations had been carried out successfully, with Dhaka's two city corporations removing more than 51,000 tonnes of sacrificial animal waste within three days.
Two officials have been suspended over alleged negligence in waste management.
Urban initiatives such as the "Window to the South" platform launched by Dhaka South City Corporation and a waste recycling project in Khulna have also made progress.
He also cited the swift disposal of the Ramisa rape and murder case within six working days, while reaffirming the government's commitment to due process in expedited trials involving child victims.
Dr Rahman said sustained inter-agency coordination was helping ensure continuity in development programmes while maintaining economic and institutional stability amid global challenges.
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