Road Transport and Bridges Minister
Saudi keen to finance upgradation of Ctg-Cox’s Bazar, Jashore-Khulna highways
The Saudi government has expressed interest in financing a project of upgrading the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar and Jashore-Khulna highways into four lanes, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday.
Quader informed this after a meeting with a delegation led by Saudi Minister for Transport and Logistic Services Eng Saleh Nasser Al-Jasser at the parliament's office room.
The minister further said that Al-Jasser expressed interest in financing the project of upgrading 150 km long highway from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar and 62 km long Jashore-Khulna highway into four lanes.
Read: Saudi entrepreneurs eye Bangladesh for investment, says its minister
The Saudi minister also expressed interest in investing in other potential areas of Bangladesh, Quader added.
Besides, Obaidul Quader also mentioned the importance of increasing Bangladesh's manpower export opportunities to Saudi Arabia and stressed the bilateral relations between the two countries.
No chance for fresh debate over caretaker govt: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said there is no chance to start a fresh debate over caretaker government as it has already been settled by the court.
“The caretaker government system was sent to the museum through a court order in 2011. There’s no chance for any debate over it as it’s a settled issue,” said Quader.
Read: BNP sitting out polls for 'fear of losing': Quader
The minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after the handover of lease documents of plots allotted at rehabilitation sites among the victims of Padma Multipurpose Bridge construction project.
He urged all to take preparations for the national election saying that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants a peaceful election in the country. “Take preparations for the election without creating any chaos.”
Read: Govt. mulls tunnel under Padma River between Daulatdia and Paturia: Quader
“Democracy in our country has flourished to some extent, though it’s a slow process. A neutral election commission will be constituted through a search committee for holding fair elections,” said the minister.
Padma Bridge to open before June next year: Quader
The Padma Bridge will be opened for vehicular movement before June next year, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday.
The Awami League general secretary announced this while virtually attending a Doa mahfil and Quran distribution programme to mark Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 75th birthday at Naria upazila in Shariatpur district.
“You have lost your lands, houses for PM’s vision of Padma Bridge which is already visible,” the minister said to the people of Shariatpur.
Quader said Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the much-cherished bridge.
Padma Bridge is one of the top priority projects of the government as it has planned to strengthen the country’s communications network, aiming to give a boost to economic activity.
On December 10, 2020, the last span, named 2S, was installed on pillars 12 and 13 of the bridge at Mawa point.
Read: Rail operation on Padma Bridge may start from Dec 2022: Minister
About Padma Bridge
China Major Bridge Engineering Corporation (MBEC), was appointed for the main bridge work. The steel material bridge’s length is 6.15 km, viaduct 3.148 km (road), 532 m (rail), approach road: 12.117 km, span: 41 (with each span being 150 meters long).
However, the project was first approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) with an estimated cost of Tk10,161 crore in 2007.
Quader says ACC is welcome to probe his ministry for corruption
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has urged the Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct graft investigation in his ministry assuring that the government will not obstruct it.
Quader said this during a virtual meeting with the officials of BRTC on Monday,
“I am calling for investigating the ministry of road transport and bridges by the Anti-Corruption Commission. There will be no obstruction from the government. If there is any corruption, take action,” he said.
Also read: Govt working to constitute EC as per constitution: Quader
Underling the importance keeping service organisations like BRTC corruption-free, the minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption.
He said past non-Awami League government turned BRTC into a den of corruption. The greedy people must be checked to make the institutions free of corruption, he said.
Also read: President Hamid urges ACC to go hard after the corrupt people
Govt smells conspiracy behind vessels crashing into Padma Bridge pillars
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said that the government would investigate if there is any conspiracy or sabotage behind water vessels repeatedly crashing into pillars of Padma Bridge.
“It would be wrong to take this matter lightly .We have to investigate whether there is any conspiracy or sabotage,'' said the general secretary of Awami League.
He also made a call on the armed forces active in the area to closely monitor the situation.
He said this to reporters after visiting the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge in Munshiganj on Friday afternoon .
The minister also hinted that any one of Shimulia or Banglabazar ferry terminals might be shifted elsewhere to reduce the chance of such ‘accidents.
Read: Ferries plying around Padma Bridge to get outer rubber layer
Several commuters had a narrow escape after a ferry carrying them crashed into a pier of the Padma bridge on Friday morning.
The accident occurred when the K-type ferry, named Kakoli, was heading towards Shimlulia ghat in Munshiganj district from Banglabazar ghat in Madaripur.
"Around 7am, the ferry hit pier number 10 shedding a portion of concrete of the pile cap," executive engineer (main bridge) Dewan Abdul Kader told UNB.
Though the vessel was partially damaged, there has been no structural damage to the bridge. "But frequent ferry accidents are really concerning," Dewan said.
A pier is a structure that extends into the water to support the bridge superstructure and transfer the loads to the foundation.
Mawa naval police IC JM Shirajul Kabir said the navigator of the ferry lost control of the vessel due to strong river current, leading to the crash.
Read: Munshiganj: Another ferry hits Padma bridge pier
Navigator Md Badal Hossain said that he lost control of the ferry due to strong river current. "Though a crack developed in the ferry after it had hit the pier, we could safely reach Shimulia ghat," he said.
In the past two months, at least five such accidents have taken place in the district.
On August 10, the government banned the movement of ferries with heavy vehicles on board under the Padma bridge.
However, the bridge authority claims that the bridge is so strong that only the ferries will sustain damage in case of a collision.
Recently, on the night of August 9, another ferry, Ro Ro Birsreshtha Jahangir, hit pier 10 of the bridge injuring five passengers and causing damage to three vehicles it was carrying.
The authority had filed a complaint at the Louhajang police station in this regard and temporarily suspended the inland master officer and wheel sukani of the ferry.
Besides, on August 10, a five-member probe body was formed and ordered to submit a report within three days.
Govt may impose tough lockdown if situation deteriorates: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said that the strict lockdown has been relaxed for the sake people’s lives and livelihoods, but it may be re-imposed if Covid situation worsens.
He was speaking at the signing of an agreement between the Department of Roads and Highways (DRH) and a construction company at the DRH office.
Read: Begum Mujib was a co-fighter of Bangabandhu, says Quader
Quader said the fare in the public transport will be the same as before the pandemic and not the recently increased fare as they will run on full passenger capacity.
The minister said both passengers and bus workers must follow hygiene and health rules and wear masks. He urged the BRTA to take necessary steps in this regard.
He urged the engineers to maintain quality in road construction. He also called for restoring discipline on roads and highways.
Quader, also the general secretary of Awami League, trashed BNP’s criticism of government’s mass vaccination campaign.
The people have responded spontaneously to the vaccination, he said adding this is causing heartburns of BNP leaders.
Read: History has forgotten those who tried to erase Bangabandhu, says Quader
He urged the BNP to learn from the welfare-oriented politics of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her deep commitment to the people. However, the truth is that this party has never learnt from history, he said.
Secretary of Roads and Highways Department Nazrul Islam, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department, Project Director of the project Abdullah Al Mamun and other officials of the construction company were present at the signing ceremony.
No irregularity in providing govt incentives to be tolerated, warns Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has asked all concerned to stay alert so that no one can indulge in any irregularity while disbursing government incentives.
“No irregularity will be tolerated in this case,” Quader said during a briefing at his official residence on Wednesday.
Read: 'Only program now is to stand by the people': Obaidul Quader
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced an incentive package of Tk 3,200 crore for the low-income people hit hard by the ongoing lockdown restrictions, and job creation in rural areas, workers of tourism and transport workers and day-labourers, the Awami League general secretary said.
He said there should be maximum attention to make sure that the real victims are enlisted for the incentives.
Of the total amount of the incentive packages, Tk 2,200 crore will come from the national coffer.
Another amount of Tk 1,000 crore has been earmarked to provide loans in the tourism sector with government subsidies, said Quader.
Read: Obaidul Quader slams BNP
He said the initiative of easing restrictions was taken to ease the sufferings of people during the Eid journeys as well as ensure the financial safety of the working people and maintain the pace of the national economy.
Public Transport
Public transports will operate at their half capacities across the country from Thursday as the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, he said.
The minister hoped that the transport owners and workers' organizations would operate their vehicles in compliance with the Covid-related conditions like hygiene rules keeping the current Corona situation in mind.
Read: Obaidul Quader pleased by 'development-friendly' budget
Quader warned that legal action will be taken against the transport owners for collection of extra fare and non-compliance of health guidelines.
AL general secretary seeks cordial relation with the media
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said he does not want to see any hostility between the government and the media.
“I don’t want any confrontation and I want to see a cordial relations with the media," Quader said in reply to a question after a meeting with a group of journalist leaders at the Secretariat.
Quader, who doubles as Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said he met the leaders in his capacity as the general secretary of the ruling party.
He said the leaders raised with him some issues regarding the newspaper industry, withdrawal of a case against journalist Rozina Islam, media rights and some other demands.
Talking about Rozina’s case and other demands Quader, said “A ministry concerned is there to settle the issue. Besides, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Home Ministry and Law Ministry are there and some special things related to the issues have to be informed to the Prime Minister.”
“They have raised the problems and I will place these to the prime minister,” he said.
Replying to a question whether the case filed against Rozina should be withdrawn; the Minister said “The case is now in the court. We have to discuss the matter with Law minister and others and after an overall consideration and discussion with all I can tell about this.”
Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina Islam was sent to jail on May 18 in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act and the Penal Code by the Health Ministry.
She was freed from Kashimpur Women's Central Jail on May 23 after a Dhaka court granted her an ad-interim bail until July 15.
One step closer to completing historic Metro Rail project in Bangladesh: Japan
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said they are one step closer to the completion of the historic metro rail project in Bangladesh.
"When the people of Bangladesh see this electrified vehicle traveling in Dhaka, they will realise the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh," he said.
The Ambassador, together with Hayakawa Yuho, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh, attended the MRT 6 trains introduction ceremony. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader participated in the ceremony online.
In this ceremony of viewing six railcars of Dhaka MRT manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan, Ambassador Naoki said the project has overcome a number of hurdles from the terrible terror attack to the current pandemic crisis.
Also read: Metrol rail project sees 63.2 pc progress: Quader
He said the trains in the traditional colours of Bangladesh will run in Dhaka city with Japanese technology.
"It symbolises the changing face of Dhaka. Dhaka MRT is the frontrunner of the transport infrastructure development of the city," he said.
Very difficult to understand Corona: Quader
Roads and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the dream project Padma Bridge will be opened for traffic movement in June 2022.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Quader said this at an exchange meeting with officials of Sylhet Zone, BRTC and BRTA this morning while he virtually joined the meeting from his official residence.
The work of the entire bridge structure has been completed with the installation of the latest girder of the viaduct at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge yesterday, he informed.
Stating that the progress of the construction work of the main bridge has been 93.2% so far, the bridge minister said that the progress of river governance work is 63% while the overall progress of the project is 85.5%.
Earlier, the Bridges Division sought the extension in February this year as the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted project progress.
Also read: ‘Godspeed Bangladesh’: ICCB on Padma Bridge
The Bridges Division sent the proposal for the time extension to the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Commission (PC) on February 2.
However, the Bridges Division informed the minister again that bridges can be opened for traffic by June 2022 despite the appeal for deadline extension until June 2023.
Obaidul Quader said, "It is very difficult to understand the character of Corona. There is no alternative to wearing mask and following health guidelines. We have to pay more attention to strict hygiene."
Quader also said the situation in India today is people are dying before going to the hospital, crying for a bed and oxygen, their crematorium and graveyard are unable to afford the corpse.
"We must now be extremely vigilant against the alarming message of infection and death rates in neighboring India, " he warned.
Also read: Padma Bridge, Metro Rail opening to public within June 2022: Quader
Stating that there is no reason to worry about the vaccine, the second man of the ruling party said that when a humanitarian leader like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina i, this difficult time will end one day.
Regarding the Dhaka-Sylhet and SylhetRoad and bridge minister Obaidul Quader said the Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic in June 2022.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said this at an exchange meeting with officials of Sylhet Zone, BRTC and BRTA this morning.
The Minister virtually joined the meeting from his official residence.
The work of the entire bridge structure has been completed with the installation of the latest girder of the viaduct at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge yesterday!
Stating that the progress of the construction work of the main bridge has been 93.2% so far, the bridge minister said that the progress of river governance work is 63% and the overall progress of the project is 85.5%.
Also read: Padma Bridge: An impressive mega project gets close to completion
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the Awami League, said, "It is very difficult to understand Corona. There is no alternative to hygiene and wearing mask. We have to pay more attention to strict hygiene."
Obaidul Quader said what is the situation in India today, people are dying before going to the hospital, crying for a bed and oxygen, their crematorium and graveyard can not be found.Therefore, the Minister said, we must now be extremely vigilant against the alarming message of infection and death rates in neighboring India.
Stating that there is no reason to worry about the vaccine, Obaidul Quader said that this difficult time will end one day as a humanitarian leader like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly.
Regarding the Dhaka-Sylhet and Sylhet-Tamabil highway projects, the Minister for Road Transport and Bridges said that it is one of the priority projects at the moment, so more importance should be given to upgrade the road to four lanes.