Recalling his difficult road journey back to Dhaka from Sylhet during the election campaign, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his government has started work to improve both road and rail connectivity between the two districts to make travel faster and more comfortable.
“During the election campaign, I came to Sylhet by plane but I returned by road. The road condition between Sylhet and Dhaka is so poor that the journey can take nearly 10 hours,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Sylhet City Corporation.
At the time of election campaign, the Prime Minister said he promised that if his party could form the government, it would take up the road construction work.
He said that after assuming office, he spoke to the ministry concerned and learned that the project had been delayed due to land acquisition problems at 11 points, particularly for setting up site offices for the companies involved. “There were also some administrative complications.”
“However, the ministry concerned has already taken the necessary steps. I hope we will be able to begin the work very soon. It will take some time, but we expect to complete it within the next few years. Once completed, people will no longer have to endure such hardship while travelling by road between Dhaka and Sylhet,” he added.
Tarique, also the chairman of BNP, said rail connectivity is also being prioritised to reduce travel costs and ease pressure on roads.
“If we improve railways, travel will become cheaper for people and businesses will be able to transport goods at lower cost,” said.
Tarique also said expanding roads alone would not solve transport problems, as more vehicles would continue to increase traffic congestion.
He also said Bangladesh is densely populated with limited land and as an agriculture-based country, excessive road expansion can reduce fertile land.
“We must maintain food self-sufficiency. So while we will improve roads and connectivity, we also want to develop the railways,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the government is also working on introducing a double rail line on the Sylhet-Dhaka route.
“Of course, we will develop roads and improve the transport system, but we also want to develop the railway. I am sure you will be interested in the development of Dhaka–Sylhet rail link or the Sylhet–Dhaka rail system. We are trying to see how a double line can be introduced in Sylhet,” the Prime Minister said.
He also spoke about efforts to reduce waterlogging in Sylhet City Corporation and stressed the importance of cleaning drains and removing waste, including plastic and polythene.
The Prime Minister urged city corporations to raise awareness, especially among schoolchildren, about waste management and environmental protection.
“Children learn quickly and carry those habits into adulthood. If we teach them properly, they will also influence their families,” he said.
Referring to the project to develop both banks of the Surma River at Chandni Ghat in Sylhet, including beautification and flood protection infrastructure, he said he hopes it will help ease the waterlogging problem in Sylhet city.
“I believe that once this project is implemented, Sylhet will be free from waterlogging. It will help protect city dwellers from floods and water congestion,” he said.
Tarique also highlighted concerns over excessive use of underground water, warning that it is gradually lowering groundwater levels in urban areas, including Dhaka and Sylhet.
He said the government’s canal excavation programme aims to address water management issues by improving natural water flow and creating water reservoirs.
The Prime Minister said the government is only about two and a half months old and compared its early stage to a very young child that cannot yet walk and needs time to develop.
Tarique said despite this, the government has already started implementing the promises made to the people.
He mentioned initiatives such as Family Cards, Agriculture Cards, Sports Cards, and allowances for Imams and Muazzins, adding that other projects will also be gradually implemented.
He expressed confidence that with hard work, Bangladesh can be developed like advanced countries, and said the government is moving forward with that belief.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Labour and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir , and Chief Whip of Parliament G K Gaus spoke at the programme, with Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury in the chair.
Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman, MP Tahsina Rushdir Luna, newly elected reserved seat MP Shammi Akhter, and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, among others, were present.