DHAKA, Nov 17, 2019 (BSS) – Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul
Quader today said the enforcement of the Road Transport Act-2018 began today.
“The new transport law must be enforced… two weeks were given for
creating mass awareness on the law. The enforcement of the new transport law
began today,” he told a discussion in the capital.
American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) arranged the
discussion on ‘Road Safety and Road Transport Act-2018’ at its auditorium on
the campus.
Speaking as the chief guest, Quader said there is no way to look behind
as the new transport act will be enforced strictly at any cost, overcoming
all challenges.
Penalising a big amount under the new law for violating traffic rules
does not mean realising more money, he said, adding once the new transport
law is enforced strictly, it would help bring discipline on roads and
highways.
Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, said public awareness
is a must to bring discipline on roads, calling upon all to abide by the law
to help the government restore discipline in the country’s transport sector.
About city bus service, he said there are some seating bus operators in
the capital, but they are basically ‘cheating’ people in the name of seating
service.
The road transport minister said road sector is a challenging one
although it has seen a rapid development in the last one decade.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is advancing fast under the dynamic
leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said when the World Bank
withdrew its credit from the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, the prime
minister had announced that Bangladesh would implement the long-cherished
project with its own fund.
Now the Padma Bridge is visible in the country, Quader said, adding “The
overall progress of Padma Bridge project has reached 74 percent now. Duel
line of the bridge will be introduced by 2021”.
Highlighting the country’s development progress, he said Bangladesh has
already sent a satellite onto the orbit, while it gained a marked progress in
all socioeconomic indexes.
Talking to reporters on the sideline of the function, the AL general
secretary said when local onions will hit the market, the essential commodity
will not be imported.
AIUB trustee board chairman Nadia Anwar and its pro-vice-chancellor Prof
Dr Tofazzal Hossain, among others, spoke at the discussion.