Road Transport and Bridges Minister
Govt will deal with country’s internal issues, not foreign diplomats: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (December 26, 2022) said the government will resolve internal issues of the country and foreign diplomats have to abide by the rules.
The minister said this while talking to reporters at his ministry’s conference room at the Secretariat.
Read: Get ready to face defeat: Obaidul to BNP
“Foreign diplomats will not put anyone in office, the country’s people will. Foreign diplomats have to follow the (Convention) when they talk about internal affairs of our country. It’s the government who will solve the country’s problems, not them,” Quader said.
Quader, also general secretary of ruling Awami League, added that the government does not tolerate “terrorist activities like torching vehicles and shops.”
Read: Defeated forces resurrected to avenge: Obaidul Quader
“We are always alert to prevent any kind of terrorism. We will take necessary steps if anyone creates chaos and causes public suffering. Law enforcement agencies are always active to tackle violence,” Quader added.
BNP’s reform proposal is ridiculous: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday criticized the BNP's 27-point plan for ‘Structural Reform of the State,’ terming it as ‘ridiculous’.
He made the remarks at the food sub-committee meeting marking the 22nd National Council of Bangladesh Awami League at party president’s Dhanmondi political office.
If they (BNP) come to power the reform proposal will not be implemented, it will be destroyed, said Quader, also the AL general secretary.
"BNP took the country on the brink of destruction. Bangladesh is prosperous today because of Sheikh Hasina's determination. BNP destroyed democracy and the spirit of the Liberation War," he said.
Read more: Anti-liberation forces are still active: Quader
“How those will reform who had destroyed the country? This is a kind of stunt which is ridiculous. BNP is the maestro of falsehood. Nobody believes them,” Quader added.
He also said that people still believe that Bangladesh will move forward under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. “It has been proved that BNP is sponsor of terrorism and militancy.”
BNP on Monday announced a 27-point outline of ‘Structural Reform of the State’ — proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introduction of the upper house of legislature.
Read more: US ambassador didn’t go to the memorial on Martyred Intellectuals’ Day, he went somewhere else: Quader
The outline of the ‘Structural Reform of the State’ has been prepared in line with the late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's 19 points and BNP's 'Vision-2030' declared by its chairperson Khaleda Zia.
2 tubes of Bangabandhu Tunnel likely to open this Oct, Nov: Quader
The inauguration of Bangabandhu Tunnel, under Karnaphuli river, will be done in two segments and open to traffic in October and November this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022).
“As it (the tunnel) has two tubes, the first tube will be inaugurated in October and the other in November. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate both tubes of the Bangabandhu tunnel,” he said.
The minister revealed this information while speaking at a programme, organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
Read: Chinese firm CCCC tipped for toll collection, maintenance of Bangabandhu Tunnel
Besides, construction work of Kalna Bridge will be finished this month (September) and the PM will inaugurate it any time in October, he said.
Talking about Dhaka Metro Rail project, the minister said 94% work of the metro rail – from Uttara to Agargaon point – has been completed, which will be inaugurated this December. Metro rail from Uttara to Motijheel point is expected to be inaugurated in December, next year.
He also said, 52% of construction work of the Elevated Expressway has been finished and it is going on in full swing.
Read Light at the end of Karnaphuli tunnel
BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.
Dhaka Metro Rail fare set at Tk 5/km
Travelling on Dhaka Metro may pinch your pocket.
The Bangladesh government has fixed the minimum fare at Tk 20 -- that's Tk 5 per kilometre, more than double what you shell out for a bus ride (Tk 2.45 a kilometre) in the densely populated metropolis.
"The minimum metro fare has been fixed at Tk 20 and the maximum at Tk 100," said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
Also read: Metro Rail (MRT Line-6) project cost goes up by Tk 11,486 cr; Gets Ecnec nod
"Commuters have to pay Tk 100 for a ride from Uttara to Motijheel as per kilometre fare has been fixed at Tk 5," the Minister told reporters after visiting the Uttara Metro Rail Depot.
However, those who will use weekly, monthly and family cards will enjoy special discounts while the wounded Freedom Fighters can travel free of cost, he said.
The government has set a December deadline to inaugurate the metro train service from Uttara to Agargaon. The remaining stretch of the metro -- from Agargaon to Motijheel -- will be unveiled next year.
Also read: Govt to start feasibility study on Metrorail in Chattogram: Quader
Bangladesh’s first metro rail on a 20.1 km-route from Uttara to Motijheel became completely visible on January 22 after the installation of the last girder of the viaduct.
The original length of the metro rail route was 20.1km from Uttara to Motijheel, but it has now been extended by 1.16km to Kamalapur Railway Station.
Impacts of Russia-Ukraine war also affect Bangladesh: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that the gas and oil crises created by the Russia-Ukraine war is also hurting Bangladesh.
Quader said this after attending the cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Monday.
Replying to a question, Quader said that the ongoing fuel crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war has turned into a global crisis.
“We don’t live on an isolated island. Any crisis that hits the global stage also impacts Bangladesh. I can’t say for sure whether the ongoing fuel crisis will escalate or not in the coming days,” said Quader.
Quader added that people should be prepared in advance for any untoward situation.
Read: Gulshan cafe attack: Quader pays tributes to Japanese mass transit experts
“We have enough food. Our problem is with fuel, about which we’ve taken some steps. The Prime Minister has stated that we need to maintain austerity in every way. I think we’ll be able to manage the situation,” added Quader.
Quader, also the General Secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL), also said that no decision has been taken yet about a possible dialog between the AL and the Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) regarding the next general elections.
“We hope that the BNP will join the next elections,” Quader said.
Padma Bridge to open for vehicles from June 26: Obaidul Quader
The much-awaited Padma Bridge will be opened for vehicles at 6 am on June 26, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurates it, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
The Awami League General Secretary made the announcement on Sunday at a press briefing at Padma Bridge Service Area building.
Also read: Padma Bridge: Shariatpur transport owners eye massive boost to business
Padma Bridge to be inaugurated in June: Quader
The long-cherished Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic in June this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader reiterated on Thursday.
The date of inauguration of Padma Bridge has not been postponed and it will be opened to traffic in June, he told reporters after exchanging Eid greetings with the leaders and workers at his Companiganj village home in Noakhali.
About BNP's movement, Quader said BNP called for movement 26 times in the last 13 years and they had failed to carry on. “Which year will we see the BNP's movement?”
Meanwhile, Quader, also the Awami League general secretary has been awarded ‘Bir 71’.
On the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence, his younger brother Abdul Quader Mirza, mayor of Basurhat municipality, handed over the ‘Bir 71’ honorary medal to Obaidul Quader.
About visiting his home constituency after a long time, Quader said, “My relationship with this area has never been severed. I’ve provided oxygen concentrators, food and relief and established ICUs here.”
Also read: Authority places lighted buoy to protect Padma Bridge from ferries
Padma Bridge opens for traffic in next June: Quader
The long-cherished Padma Bridge will open for traffic in June this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Sunday. According to a press release of the ministry Quader said 97 per cent of the work of the main bridge has been completed, with 90.50 per cent of river management.
Read: Diplomats on way to Tungipara, see Bangladesh’s dream project Padma Bridge The overall progress of the project is 92 per cent while the progress of carpeting of the road is 66.65 per cent, he also said. The minister also said that the progress of installing gas pipeline and 400 KVA power line is 99 and 79 per cent respectively.
Padma Bridge to be opened to traffic in June: Quader
The much-awaited Padma Bridge will be inaugurated in June 2022 as per the target, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday.
The minister said that the work on the Padma Bridge is in progress. “Now, the pitch-casting work is going on. Once it’s done, then the entire project work will be over.”
Read: Much-hyped ‘Dhaka Nagar Paribahan’ rolled out
The minister said while talking to reporters during the inauguration of ‘Dhaka Nagar Paribahan’ virtually from the secretariat.
Obaidul Quader said, “The Padma Bridge will be inaugurated within our target as we’ve already completed the approach road.”
US sanctions on Rab offficals politically motivated, will encourage militancy: Quader
The US sanctions on the IGP and six Rab officiala have been politically motivated, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Sunday adding that the decision will inspire terrorism and militancy.
At a briefing at his office in the Secretariat this morning Quader said Rab as an elite force has been professional in discharge of its work.
He recalled the contriversial US role during Bangladesh liberation war in 1971 and after assassinaton of Bangabandhu in 1975.
Yet Bangladesh did not allow these issues to stand on way of establishing friendly relations with Washington, he said.
Also read: Sanctions on Rab: Law Minister calls it ‘unfortunate’
He said the US move has hurt Bangladesh when it is celebrating 50 years of its indepence..
The two countries are working from their respective positions on multilateral issues including bilateral and common issues, he said.
Quader said that the Anti-Corruption Commission is playing an independent role in carrying out any investigation but it is unreasonable to impose sanctions on a force chief and former officers by making baseless allegations.
Speaking about human rights, the Awami League general secretary also said that such a decision is a kind of violation of human rights.
He urged them to first look into the human rights situation in their country first.
Obaidul Quader said that the death of George Floyd had shaken the whole world which raised the question about the human rights issue of the US administration.
Obaidul Quader said hat the UN itself had expressed concern over the issue of discrimination and oppression of blacks.
"Where millions of people die each year in gun attacks, the world has witnessed the tragic deaths of five people trying to seize Capital Hill after losing an election. The world has seen the face of American democracy and the face of their human rights," he also added.
Obaidul Quader said that Amnesty International had repeatedly pointed out the weakness of the United States in its indicators of internal democracy and protection of human rights.
Some of Bangabandhu's assassins are still hiding in America, war criminals have also fled there, said Awami League general secretary
Robert Reich, a former US senator of Labor said in a tweet that US law enforcement 984
there have been 8,800 extrajudicial killings by US law enforcement and about 1,000 people die without trial every year, according to various sources.
He said any comment on human rights is not acceptable where ordinary people take to the streets in different cities to protest against extrajudicial killings day after day.
Quader said, "We are sure that some anti-Bangladesh people and evil forces may have political motives behid the decision."
Obaidul Quader said that the people of the country think that their ban on a security force of Bangladesh is political and a despicable attempt to force Bangladesh to surrender to their state of slavery.
Also read: Sanctions on RAB: FM says impact on relations depends on US
Noting that no conspiracy against the people of Bangladesh created through the great liberation war has worked in the past, he added that Bangladesh has turned from a vacuum despite various international conspiracies.
In Palestine, when Israel indiscriminately destroys hundreds of homes, including helpless women and innocent children, by dropping missiles and violating human rights, US foreign policy is in favor of Israel, not even uttering a word.
He added that those responsible for the deaths and displacement of people in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Yemen are giving the world a sense of human rights today.
Citing mutual trust and confidence as the basis of our friendly relations with the United States, Quader said Bangladesh hoped that the US administration would be more informed and careful in making decisions to advance the existing relationship between the people of the two countries.
He further added that there is an opportunity for any issue to be resolved through dialogue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh has already summoned the US ambassador to express its anger and dissatisfaction, he hoped.
"We believe that the US administration will move away from this irrational and one-sided decision," he also hoped.