United News of Bangladesh

The proposed Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway will fundamentally transform the transportation network across the capital and its surrounding districts, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Tuesday. “This 39-kilometre expressway will bypass Dhaka city and connect Hemayetpur with Narayanganj, establishing a direct corridor between the country's eastern and south-western regions. It will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Dhaka by nearly half,” Rabiul said at a high-level stakeholder consultation workshop, held at a city hotel to advance the Dhaka East-West PPP project. He noted that an updated feasibility study for the project has already been completed, adding that delayed implementation carries serious economic consequences. Citing the Dhaka-Sylhet highway as a cautionary example, he pointed to significant financial losses caused by belated land acquisition. “If a project is not implemented on time, it becomes an economic burden. What we need is commitment and sound planning.” The minister stressed the current government's intent to break from five decades of flawed infrastructure policy, saying it would not pursue large-scale mega projects indiscriminately as previous administrations had done. “We want to spend public money in a way that eliminates waste and delivers real benefits to people.” Road Transport and Bridges State Minister Md Razib Ahsan said modern expressway infrastructure is now a pressing necessity, as traffic gridlock continues to erode fuel efficiency and economic productivity. He said the project would be especially vital for goods transport and inter-city passenger movement. “If a realistic toll structure can be established, this project will be a landmark achievement. We want to implement it through public-private partnership in a way that becomes a true milestone.” Razib also directed project officials to complete land acquisition within the shortest feasible timeframe and emphasised the need to move away from the perception that large projects inevitably breed large-scale corruption. “Previous projects were mired in controversy from inception. We must change public perception. We want to move this sector forward, inclusively and without dispute.” Project Details The expressway: stretching 38.98 kilometres from N5 to N1, will run from Hemayetpur on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway through Atibazar, Abdullahpur, Jolpori Bazar and Narayanganj, ending at Langalbandh on the Chittagong Highway. It will feature five major interchanges at N5, Atibazar Road, N8, R111 and N10, and will cross two major rivers, the Buriganga and Shitalakshya. The corridor will also connect with the Padma Bridge Rail Link and the Dhaka-Narayanganj railway line, spanning five upazilas across two districts. Once operational, the expressway will allow vehicles from Chittagong, Sylhet and other eastern districts, as well as from Khulna and Barishal in the south-west, to bypass Dhaka entirely and travel directly to 20 north-western districts. It will also link into the Asian Highway network. The total project cost has been estimated at Tk 36,000 crore (approximately USD 2.88 billion), comprising Tk 22,000 crore for construction and Tk 14,000 crore for land acquisition and resettlement, excluding contingency and ancillary costs. Traffic and Financial Projections According to a 2025 traffic survey, daily vehicle volume is projected at 21,000–25,000 upon the expressway's expected opening in 2030, rising to over 50,000 by 2050. Average vehicle speed is forecast to jump from the current 20–30 km/h to approximately 90 km/h. A Social Cost-Benefit Analysis (SCBA) put the project's Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) at 16.42 percent. Under the base-case financial model, factoring in a base toll of BDT 9.20 per kilometre and a 30 percent Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support — the Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) stands at 7.66 percent. Analysts noted that with appropriate VGF support and a realistic toll framework, the project can be made financially sustainable and investment-worthy. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the project's implementation on a PPP basis on December 8, 2021. Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) was appointed as transaction adviser on December 24, 2024, to update the feasibility study and cost estimates at current market rates. Tuesday's workshop primarily reviewed the updated feasibility report prepared by IIFC and gathered feedback from relevant government agencies, development partners and sector experts. Senior officials of the Bridges Division, Bangladesh Bridge Authority and a panel of independent experts were also present.

Three Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members were injured after being attacked with sharp weapons in broad daylight during an anti-drug drive in Narayanganj on Tuesday. The incident took place around 1pm in the Masdair Bazar Boyalia Khal area of the city. Among the injured, two identified as Mahi and Ibrahim are receiving treatment at Narayanganj Sadar General Hospital, while Sub-Inspector Najibul, who was critically injured, has been sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment. 3 held with 16.5kg hemp at Jatrabari On receiving the information, RAB-11 Battalion Commander Lt Col HM Sazzad Hossain went to the hospital with additional forces to see the injured personnel. Later, a drive was carried out at the spot. However, RAB has not yet provided any details to the media. A briefing will be given later, said Lt Col Sazzad. According to locals, the three RAB personnel went to the Boyalia Khal area to collect information as part of an anti-drug drive when a group of assailants suddenly attacked them with sharp weapons. Confirming the incident, Additional Superintendent of Police (A-Circle) Hasinuzzaman said the RAB members were attacked while gathering information in the area.

A total of nine Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia so far, says the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Of the deceased, eight were men and one was woman, according to a bulletin issued by the Hajj Management Portal under the ministry at 3:00am on Tuesday. Among them, seven pilgrims died in Makkah while the remaining two passed away in Madinah. The latest death was reported on Monday when Mahfuza Begum, 52, from Sadar area of Chapainawabganj district died after suffering a cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, a total of 46,514 Bangladeshi pilgrims have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year. Of them, 4,071 travelled under the government management, while 42,443 arrived through private Hajj agencies. A total of 118 flights have transported these Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Of the total flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 54, Saudia 43, and Flynas operated 21 flights. Biman transported 21,910 pilgrims, while Saudia carried 16,110 and Flynas transported 8,494 pilgrims, according to the bulletin.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad with 10 balls to spare in the Indian Premier League on Sunday. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy led the bowling attack with 3-36, while Sunil Narine (2-31) and Kartik Tyagi (2-30) provided strong support as Hyderabad were bowled out for 165 in 19 overs. Opener Travis Head struck a rapid 61 off 28 balls, but Hyderabad suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping from 135-4 to lose their last six wickets for just 30 runs. Chasing 166, Kolkata reached 169-3 in 18.2 overs. Impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi top-scored with 59 off 47 balls, including five fours and two sixes, while captain Ajinkya Rahane contributed 43 off 36 balls. The victory marked Kolkata’s third consecutive win, though the team remained eighth in the standings after nine matches, following a difficult run that included five losses and one no-result. Hyderabad stayed third despite the defeat, which was their fourth in 10 games, missing an opportunity to move to the top of the table. In another match later in the day, Gujarat Titans hosted Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. Hyderabad made a strong start, with Head hitting nine fours and three sixes in his innings. He added 44 runs with Abhishek Sharma (15) and then shared a 61-run stand with Ishan Kishan, who scored 42 off 29 balls. The hosts posted 71-1 in the powerplay. However, Chakravarthy removed Head in the ninth over, triggering a collapse. Hyderabad slipped to 122-4 after Heinrich Klaasen (11) was dismissed and Ravichandran Smaran (4) fell soon after. Narine further dented the innings in the 16th over by taking two wickets, including Kishan’s, leaving Hyderabad with little momentum in the final overs. From 105-1 in 8.5 overs, Hyderabad eventually lost nine wickets for 60 runs. Kolkata began their chase briskly, with Finn Allen scoring 29 off 13 balls before being dismissed by Pat Cummins. The team matched Hyderabad’s powerplay score of 71-1. Rahane and Raghuvanshi then put together an 84-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively taking the game away from the hosts. Raghuvanshi brought up his third half-century of the season off 39 balls. Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 22 off 11 deliveries sealed the win for Kolkata. The result also marked Kolkata’s 21st victory in 32 IPL matches against Hyderabad, their most successful record against any opponent.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested three people, including two women, along with 16.5 kilograms of hemp in the capital’s Jatrabari area. The arrestees were identified as Bokul, 45, Parvin, 45, and Md Main Uddin, 24. NM Nasiruddin, Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of DMP, said a team from the DB’s Motijheel Division conducted a drive around 9:30pm on Tuesday on a road in front of Bismillah Zamzam Hotel near Kajla Bridge under Jatrabari Police Station. During the operation, police recovered 16.5 kg of hemp from their possession and arrested them, he said. 2 held in honey trap racket with stolen cash in Jatrabari The official said the arrestees are active members of a drug trafficking network. During primary interrogation, they admitted to collecting drugs from different parts of the country for a long time and distributing those in different areas of the capital, he added.

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to quit OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, marks a significant shift in global energy politics. Here’s what’s behind the move and why it matters: Why is the UAE leaving? The UAE said its decision followed a review of its energy strategy, focusing on national interests and future production capacity. Analysts say the real driver is flexibility. OPEC quotas had capped the UAE’s oil output at about 3.2 million barrels per day, despite its capacity nearing 5 million. By leaving, Abu Dhabi can boost production and better respond to market demand. The move also comes amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the UAE to rely more on export routes like Fujairah that are less exposed to regional tensions. Long-standing disagreements The exit reflects deeper tensions within OPEC, particularly with Saudi Arabia over production quotas. Energy experts say these disagreements have evolved from routine disputes into structural conflicts. The UAE has long sought greater autonomy over its oil policy, especially as it aims to expand output and maximize revenue. At the same time, the country is trying to accelerate economic diversification before global demand for fossil fuels declines. What impact could it have? The UAE’s departure could weaken OPEC’s influence over global oil supply, reducing its share from about 30% to roughly 26%. It may also increase market volatility. With one of the group’s key producers stepping away, coordination on output levels could become more difficult. The move comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and broader regional instability, further complicating supply dynamics. Experts say the decision signals a broader shift: the era of tightly coordinated Gulf oil policy may be fading, with countries prioritising national strategies over collective action. Bottom line The UAE’s exit is less about a sudden break and more about long-building pressure—balancing production ambitions, regional tensions, and long-term economic transformation. Its ripple effects could reshape how global oil markets are managed in the years ahead.

The United Arab Emirates declared Tuesday that it will leave the oil cartel OPEC effective May 1. The UAE made the declaration via its state-run WAM news agency. "This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets," the UAE said. It also comes as the UAE has increasingly come into conflict with Saudi Arabia, particularly over economic issues and the war in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Lightning strikes have killed at least 11 people, including seven farmers, since Monday evening, highlighting a worsening and often overlooked climate threat in Bangladesh. Among them  at least nine people were killed by lightning strikes in Gaibandha, Bogura, Thakurgaon, Sirajganj and Natore districts on Sunday. Besides, two farmers were killed in separate lightning strikes in Sunamganj Sadar upazila on Monday afternoon while harvesting paddy in haor areas, and three more people were injured in Shantiganj upazila. Experts say the rising death toll is closely linked to climate change, which is intensifying storm patterns and increasing the frequency of lightning strikes across the country. Data compiled by the Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF) show that 297 people — 242 men and 55 women — died from lightning between February and September in 2024. In an earlier period, from April 2022 to May 3, 2023, at least 340 people were killed. Bangladesh, long vulnerable to extreme weather, records an average of around 300 lightning-related deaths annually, according to UN estimates. By contrast, the United States — with nearly double Bangladesh’s population — reports fewer than 20 such deaths each year. In the 1990s, annual fatalities in Bangladesh were only in the dozens, indicating a sharp upward trend over the decades. Scientists and agencies, including NASA and the United Nations, attribute the increase to heightened atmospheric instability driven by global warming, leading to more frequent and intense thunderstorms. Recognising the growing danger, the government has included lightning strikes in the official list of natural disasters in 2016 alongside floods, cyclones, earthquakes and droughts but the death toll from lightning keeps rising apparently for government inadequate measures and lack of people’s awareness.  Farmers most at risk A majority of lightning victims are farmers, who spend long hours in open fields during the monsoon — the peak lightning season. With limited access to safe shelters, they are particularly exposed when sudden storms develop. In the low-lying areas of Sunamganj in north-eastern Sylhet Division, vast haors and wetlands sustain local livelihoods—but they also leave communities dangerously exposed to lightning strikes. As climate change intensifies extreme weather, frequent thunderstorms have made lightning an increasingly deadly threat across these open landscapes. The government is ramping up efforts to curb lightning deaths through early warnings, plantation drives and protective infrastructure, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu told parliament on  Monday. Responding to a notice raised by Sunamganj-1 lawmaker Kamruzzaman Kamrul, he said steps are being taken to protect people in haor and other high-risk areas, where farmers and fishers are especially exposed during summer and monsoon storms. Kamrul said vast haor wetlands in his constituency leave residents vulnerable year-round, noting that at least 12 people were recently killed by lightning, including four in his area. Citing NASA data, he added that Sunamganj’s haor belt records over 25 strikes per square kilometre. Despite lightning being declared a national disaster, he pointed to gaps in effective programmes, data, equipment and shelters, urging science-based planning and more research. The minister said lightning incidents have increased in recent years, particularly in haor and north-eastern regions. He highlighted measures including awareness campaigns, planned sirens for early alerts, expanded palm tree plantation, and installation of lightning protection towers. In an effort to reduce casualties, SSTF has stepped up awareness campaigns in rural areas. It issued a three-point safety guideline for those working outdoors: First, people should avoid getting wet in the rain or taking shelter under trees in open areas — one of the most common causes of fatalities. Second, anyone in fields, rivers, canals or ponds should immediately seek refuge in a nearby building or concrete structure. If that is not available, they should move to a relatively safer, lower-lying area. Third, children should be kept away from open fields during storms, and outdoor activities should be suspended. SSTF also called for coordinated efforts by government agencies and civil society to expand awareness programmes during the peak lightning months of May and June, provide free treatment to the injured, and ensure compensation of Tk 5 lakh for families of victims. Simple steps can save lives Safety experts stress that many lightning deaths are preventable with basic precautions. The safest place during a thunderstorm is inside a fully enclosed building or a vehicle with a metal roof. People are advised to avoid open spaces, elevated areas, tall trees and small temporary shelters. Doors and windows should be kept closed, and contact with metal objects, water and electrical appliances should be avoided. If caught outdoors with no shelter, individuals should crouch low to the ground, minimising contact rather than lying flat. Those on water bodies should return to land immediately, as swimming or boating during storms significantly increases risk. In forested areas, safer spots are low-lying zones with shorter, closely spaced trees rather than isolated tall ones. As climate risks intensify, experts warn that without sustained awareness and protective measures, lightning will continue to claim hundreds of lives each year — many of them in vulnerable rural communities where a moment’s delay can prove fatal.

Customs official Bullet Bairagi whose body was recovered from Cumilla on Saturday morning was killed after falling victim to an organised robber gang, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has said. “The gang had been lying in wait after Bullet got off a bus at midnight. He was brutally assaulted and later pushed from a moving CNG, leading to his death on the spot,” said Wing Commander Entekhad Chowdhury, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, at a press briefing held at the RAB Media Centre in the capital on Monday. Five suspects- Md Sohag, Ismail Hossain Johnny, Imran Hossain Hridoy, Rahat Hossain Jewel and Sujon-were arrested in separate drives in Cumilla.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked seventh among the world’s most polluted cities on Friday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 117 at 9:10 am. According to the AQI scale, the air quality was classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” indicating potential health risks for vulnerable individuals. Nepal’s Kathmandu, India’s Delhi, and Thailand’s Chiang Mai topped the list of most polluted cities, with AQI scores of 235, 231, and 165, respectively. An AQI reading between 101 and 150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while 151–200 is deemed “unhealthy.” Levels between 201 and 300 are classified as “very unhealthy,” and readings above 301 are considered “hazardous,” posing serious health risks. The AQI measures daily air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and outlining potential health effects on the population. In Bangladesh, AQI calculations are based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution, which typically worsens during the winter months and improves during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes approximately seven million deaths globally each year, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.