\\\'I won\\\'t bow to pressure of any vested group\\\'

FE Report | Published: January 30, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said Wednesday he will not bow down to the pressure of any vested group relating to recapturing the state-owned grabbed lands for proper use of those to reduce traffic congestion.
He said during the last government's tenure, he could not take any stern action in this connection as he was made minister for a short time.
"This time I will not spare anyone. I do not bother what is instore for me, but I will recover the grabbed lands to use those for the welfare of people," he said calling upon the grabbers to leave the lands at their own before facing action.
The minister was addressing the inaugural session of the 'Driving training programme 2014' of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) held at its conference room with BRTA chairman Nazrul Islam in the chair.
The minister did not mention anything particular about the grabbed lands, but said due to misuse of lands by grabbers, many buses and trucks are parked on the roadside, deteriorating the traffic situation.
Taking the responsibility of such illegal parking on his shoulders for his inability to provide terminals for these vehicles, Obaidul Quader said in absence of terminals and parking facilities, drivers often face threats and vehicles are damaged.
"If those lands can be used for unlawful purposes, why should those not be used for the benefit of the people?" the minister questioned.
He also said his new challenge would be to reduce the level of corruption in his ministry and requested the drivers to remain alert while carrying out their professional duties.
The minister called upon them not to drive unfit transports of the owners.
He also urged the pedestrians to cross the road through foot-over bridges and not to use road for walking.
The BRTA launched the driving training programme this year with a target to train over 50,000 drivers. It trained some 29,470 drivers during the last fiscal year.
Among others, representatives of bus, truck owners' and workers' associations spoke on the occasion and called for expanding driving training to bus, truck terminals and conducting awareness programmes to avoid accidents.