logo

Which year will we see BNP's movement? asks Quader

Saturday, 30 April 2022


Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the country's highways are much better this time on Eid than ever before, report agencies.
He made the comment after visiting the Gabtoli bus terminal in the capital on Friday.
Instructing the BRTA and law enforcement agencies to keep a close eye on the passengers so that they don't have to suffer on the way, Obaidul Quader said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is inquiring into the matter every day.
He also urged transport owners and labour leaders not to take extra fare from homebound people on Eid in national interest.
Meanwhile, regarding the announcement of the movement against the government of the BNP secretary general, Quader raised a counter-question, "It's been 13 years. Which year will we see BNP's movement?"
He again wanted to know from the BNP leaders who will lead their movement.
Comparing the BNP with a lost traveller, Obaidul Quader said, "They themselves do not know what the BNP leaders are saying."
He said, "I don't think the [traffic] problems we had in Gazipur will occur again as we've opened three flyovers. Vehicles are travelling regularly on the flyovers."
Quader said the authorities have overcome the long-lasting problems in travelling to and from the northern part of the country by constructing the Nalka Bridge. "I don't think there'll be any more trouble."
He blamed the impatience of drivers for the continuing traffic snarl-ups despite all the measures taken by the government.
"They drive on the wrong side of the road whenever they see a slight traffic jam. It causes severe congestion in the entire area if only two or three cars end up on the wrong side of the road. We're looking into the matter."
However, a bus company called Selfie at Gabtoli Terminal has been caught charging passengers double the regular fare. The staff at the ticket counter claimed they paid Tk 1,000 in bribes to the police sergeant to sell tickets for each of their buses.
Asked about the matter, the minister said it could be a stray incident and the authorities have deployed workforce to monitor such incidents at all times.
"If something like this happens, we'll definitely deal with it," he said.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, urged transport owners and labour leaders not to take extra fare from homebound people on Eid occasion.
"In the last two years, people could not celebrate Eid at their native home massively due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, thousands of people are going home to celebrate Eid this year. I request you (transport owners and labor leaders) to look into the matter for the sake of the national interests," he added.