Obaidul Quader
No sufferings on Eid journey this year: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday claimed that this year's Eid journey has been free of traffic jams and public sufferings.
He said this to reporters while visiting the overpass constructed at the capital's airport this morning.
Quader said that instructions have been given to the officials concerned to make the return Eid trip smooth and comfortable.
Roads and Highways Department Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Noori, Bridges Department Secretary Manjur Hossain and senior officers were present at the time.
Read more: AL-backed syndicates make Eid holidaymakers suffer with extortion, harassment: Rizvi
Quader said that this year there is no suffering of travellors on bus, train, launch during the Eid journey.
The government has opened the Padma Bridge to motorbikes for the benefit of young people.
Tk 603.76 cr toll collected from Padma Bridge till March: Quader
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday (April 06, 2023) told parliament that Tk 603.76 crore tolls have been collected from Padma Bridge till March since its inauguration on June 25, 2022.
The minister said this in reply to a tabled question from Awami League MP Benjir Ahmed elected from Dhaka-20.
Quader said after the launch of Bangabandhu Bridge on June 23, 1998, Tk 7697.71 crore have been collected as toll as of March.
In response to another question from Morshed Alam, a lawmaker from Noakhali-2, Quader said that about 6,000 buses of various transport companies including Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) ply Dhaka city.
Also read: Repayment of Padma Bridge loan starts with Tk 316.91 crore given to govt
He also said E-ticketing is available on a number of BRTC routes.
Apart from this, e-ticketing has been launched in 3,300 buses of 69 companies out of 97 private transport companies under the supervision of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, he said.
Quader informed the House that Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is monitoring these activities.
He said that soon the e-ticketing system will be introduced in the buses of rest of the companies.
Read More: Govt to assist Bangabazar businesses to recover from fire damages: PM Hasina
In reply to another query, Quader said that currently there is no research programme to reduce road accidents in the country.
With Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, the question-answer session of today’s parliament sitting was placed on the table.
Repayment of Padma Bridge loan starts with Tk 316.91 crore given to govt
The repayment of the loan taken for construction of Padma Bridge started with Tk 316.91 crore paid to the government in the first two installments on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a cheque of Tk 316,90,97,049 as the first and second installments of the loan.
Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader handed over the cheque to the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the country will continue to march ahead overcoming any barrier and disaster.
“Bangladesh will continue to march forward, maintaining the current pace of its development journey, no matter how many obstacles come,“ she said.
The PM sought cooperation from the whole nation to face any disaster, accident, the brunt of the war or inflation as the people in cities and villages did during the construction of the Padma Bridge.
"I believe we can move forward overcoming any hurdle if the people stand beside us. Construction of the Padma Bridge with the own finance is the best example of it," she said.
She said the government had to overcome a strong obstacle nationally and internationally during the construction of the iconic bridge.
PM Hasina said she didn’t get support from a number of people regarding the construction of the country’s longest bridge with own finance. It was said that it would never be possible, she said.
She said different heads of the state and government during talks told her that it would be a tough work since the World Bank withdrew its finance from the project. But only Malaysia supported with then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak saying that it would be possible with own finance, she noted.
Describing the Padma Bridge as the sign of the country’s pride, she said Bangladesh has been able to show its capacity to the world with the construction of the bridge with own finance.
“I think it’s not only a bridge, but also a symbol of pride and capacity of the Bengali nation,” she said, adding that the trial run of train through the Padma Bridge also started from Tuesday last.
On June 25, 2022, the prime minister opened the country’s largest bridge – 6.15-km Padma Bridge- over the mighty Padma River.
The 6.15-km bridge connected directly the country’s 21 south and south-western districts with the capital, and it is expected to accelerate the GDP growth by 1.23 per cent and make an outstanding contribution to socio-economic development by alleviating poverty.
The total allocation was Tk 30,193.39 crore, but the allocation for the main bridge was Tk 12,133.39 crore (including Tk 1,000 crore for installation of 400-kv electricity transmission line and gas line).
Besides, the Tk 9,400 crore was allocated for river training works, Tk 1,907.68 crore for approach roads (including two toll plazas, construction of two buildings for police stations and three service areas), Tk 1,515 crore for the rehabilitation of the displaced people (caused by the project) and Tk 2698.73 crore for land acquisition.
The Padma Bridge is expected to last more than 100 years, but its construction cost will be recovered in the next 35 years.
PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the cheque handing-over event, while former Cabinet Secretary and Bridge Division Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam spoke on the occasion.
Governor of Bangladesh Bank Abdur Rouf Talukder, Finance Senior Secretary Fatima Yasmin, Bridge Division Secretary Md. Monjur Hossain were present at the event.
Success or failure of a ministry shouldn’t be solely evaluated by road accidents: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that despite the price hike of essentials around the world, Bangladesh is still in a better position compared to many others.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, made the remark today during a briefing on current issues at the ministry's meeting room in the Secretariat.
“This rise in prices is not just limited to Bangladesh; it is happening all over the world, including in countries like France and Germany,” he said.
He also said that the government is making sincere efforts to address this problem, and commodity prices have already gone down, with further decease expected.
Quader also mentioned that irregularities and price manipulation are not new issues in Bangladesh and they happen during Ramadan. “But the government is taking action against such practices,” he said.
Read more: Govt's power price hike an 'anti-people' decision: Fakhrul
Regarding criticism that initiatives against syndicates have not yielded result yet, the minister said that if results were not achieved, Bangladesh would not be considered a success by others. He pointed out that despite challenges, Bangladesh has made significant progress and has received praise from world leaders such as the presidents of US, China and Russia.
On another note, Quader said it is not appropriate to evaluate the success or failure of a ministry solely based on road accidents.
When asked about his ability to improve road safety, he responded by drawing attention to the high number of accidents and fatalities that occur in countries such as India and Saudi Arabia.
“Yesterday over 20 people died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia. What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? A blown tyre can cause accidents and lead to such devastating outcome,” he said.
Quader emphasized that accidents are a common occurrence worldwide and cannot overshadow the numerous successful projects implemented during the government's tenure.
Read more: Govt to soon fix prices of 9 daily essentials
He also suggested that incidents of high success of the government may be targeted by critics. Quader went on to discuss the revision of the RPO, final approval of which is pending.
Ctg 8 by-polls: AL nominates Noman Al Mahmud
Awami League has nominated Noman Al Mahmud as its candidate for the by-election to Chattogram-8 constituency.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader revealed the matter at a press briefing today.
Noman is the Chattogram organizing secretary of AL.
Also read: By-election to Chattogram-8 constituency on April 27
The seat was left vacant following the death of Awami League MP Moslem Uddin Ahmed.
By-election to the Chattogram-8 constituency will be held on April 27, 2023.
Fakhrul has no freedom of expression inside BNP: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has no freedom of expression in his party’s internal politics as the party is run on the prescription of a convicted fugitive.
“We understand the pain of Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir. In fact, Mirza Fakhrul has no freedom of expression in the internal politics of BNP. Fakhrul Saheb is forced to accept the decision, which is descended from far London, staying mum,” the AL leader said in a statement.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, alleged that the committees are formed and dissolved, expulsion and reward are fixed, and business centering committees and nomination is done, in undemocratic ways going against the charter.
Also Read: No scope for reinstating caretaker government in the country: Quader to US Ambassador Haas
Protesting Fakhrul’s recent remarks regarding the people’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression, he said Fakhrul has captured the people’s freedom of speech and his freedom of expression in his party’s internal politics in a single frame.
“So, Mirza Fakhrul is indulging in a grudge against the government like a parrot,” said the AL general secretary.
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has been running the government, keeping public aspirations and expectations in mind in a bid to ensure the welfare of the people.
Also Read: US HR report depicts Bangladesh’s terrible situation: Fakhrul
All the endeavors of the government are being conducted, not to keep the people silent rather to fulfill the public aspirations and expectation, he said, criticizing the BNP’s past regime for its misrules.
Also Read: BNP won't go to election under AL, Fakhrul reiterates
“We are united under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina to establish a developed-prosperous, human-welfare and smart Bangladesh for the next generation. Victory will be ours, Inshallah,” said Obaidul Quader.
No scope for dialogue with any party before election: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday made it clear that no one is being called for any discussion ahead of the next parliamentary election and there will be no compromise on the question of constitution, i.e. the election-time government.
“We do everything in public. Democracy doesn’t discuss in the backdoor. Discussion will be in public, if any. But I am still not seeing any such opportunity,” Quader said, while answering a question about any possibility of dialogue with the BNP to bring them to the polls.
The senior cabinet member, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was speaking with media personnel in the conference room of his ministry.
Mentioning that the election "will be held here like other democratic countries", Quader said: “Nothing has happened in Bangladesh that we have to amend our constitution. There will be no compromise over the constitution.”
Responding to a question about BNP’s movement, Quader said that his government doesn’t see the movement as a challenge. “No movement is possible without people’s participation. It is clear that the party has failed to draw as many people as they hoped. We are not seeing their movement as a challenge. We will face their political movement politically.”
Obaidul Quader off to Singapore for routine checkup
Road Transport and Bridges minister and General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader is going to Singapore for regular health checkup.
He was scheduled to leave Dhaka around 8:30 am today , reads a press release of the ministry.
Also Read: Obaidul Quader wants Bangla among official UN languages
He will return to the country on March 3, according to Sheikh Walid Foyez, information officer of the ministry.
Md Shahabuddin set to become next President of Bangladesh
Awami League Advisory Council member Md Shahabuddin Chuppu is set to become the next President of Bangladesh as the ruling party on Sunday nominated him as the party's presidential candidate.
An Awami League team, led by the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader, submitted the nomination paper to the Election Commission.
“There is no reaction now. This is Almighty Allah’s will,” Shahabuddin told reporters after submission of the nomination paper at the Election Commission.
Shahabuddin, a retired district and sessions judge, served as a commissioner at the Anti-Corruption Commission.
“Two applications have been submitted to the office of the Chief Election Commissioner and Presidential Election Officer at 11:00am and 11:05am for the same person. These two applications will be scrutinized tomorrow (Monday) at 1pm. The chief election officer will inform you tomorrow after scrutinizing the nomination papers,”said Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam.
Feasibility study on Chattorgram metro rail begins
The feasibility study on Chattogram metro rail began on Tuesday.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader joined the inauguration programme of the feasibility study virtually.
Addressing the event, Quader said,“Today is a historic day for Chattogram as we have started the feasibility study of the metro rail.”
Read more: KOICA to render pre-survey on introducing metro rail in Chattogram
The study will be conducted at an estimated cost of TK 70 crore.
Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) will provide TK 50 crore, while the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges will provide the rest.
The feasibility study is scheduled to be completed by March 2025.
Read more: Govt to start feasibility study on Metrorail in Chattogram: Quader
Tasks of the feasibility study include an integrated plan on transport in the city, reviewing and updating theongoing and completed projects, conducting transport survey, assessment and evaluation of future traffic demand, economic evaluation of projects, pre-feasibility study of Mass Rapid Transit Network Proposal, planning public transport system, traffic safety, etc.