Four-lane Dhaka-Ctg Highway by Dec

CHITTAGONG, June 10: Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader reiterated on Wednesday promise that the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway four-lane project would be completed by December.
"I ensure you that the expansion work of the highway will be completed within December 2015," he said.
Besides, ground-breaking of the Karnaphuli Tunnel project will commence on October.
The President or Prime Minister of China is expected to visit Bangladesh by October. During the visit, the state guest will arrive in Chittagong along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to formally inaugurate the project, he added.
The minister was addressing as the chief guest a view-exchange meeting of the local administration with CNG auto-rickshaw owners and drivers of Chittagong.
The meeting was held following the passengers' widespread allegations against the drivers of not running the vehicles on meter and charging exorbitant fares.
Chittagong deputy commissioner (DC) Mesbah Uddin chaired the meeting, while Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) mayor AJM Nasir Uddin was the special guest. Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) commissioner Abdul Jalil Mandal, among others, also spoke on the occasion.
Obaidul Quader also said: "Many people still do not believe that the government can construct the Padma Bridge. The bridge site now seems to pulsate with excitement, as the piling work is going on in full swing. The work of the bridge is very much visible now."
Turning to the CCC mayor he said the city sky is not visible due to hundreds of large billboards welcoming the newly-elected city mayor.
"These billboards have hidden the beauty of Chittagong, the city of hills, planes and greenery. Please remove the billboards welcoming you first, and then remove all other billboards, legal or illegal," he told AJM Nasir Uddin.
Leaders of CNG auto-rickshaw owners and drivers associations said the fare of CNG autos should be increased from Tk 25 to Tk 35 for the first two kilometres, and standard meters should be installed in the vehicles.
They also urged the authorities concerned, including BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority), to issue licenses to some 15,000 auto-rickshaws, plying illegally in the city.
On the other hand, leaders of Passengers Welfare Association of Bangladesh alleged that the CNG auto-rickshaws drivers have long been charging excessive fares from the passengers.
The drivers have illegally realised Tk 60.84 billion as extra charges from the passengers of Chittagong over the last 13 years.
The meeting concluded with forming a three-member committee to resolve all the issues relating to issuance of auto-rickshaw license, fixing up fares, and installing standard meters in the autos.
Headed by the CCC mayor, other members of the committee are - the Chittagong DC and the CMP commissioner.
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