Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the contractor working on developing the bus rapid transit (BRT) would not get any more projects in Bangladesh.
Despite being responsible for the BRT accident, he said, the company has been allowed to complete project work to save resources and time.
"Seventy nine per cent work of the project was completed at the time of the accident. So, we will complete the rest around 20 per cent work with the company as selecting a new contractor through fresh bidding is time consuming," he elaborated.
The minister said this while replying to a question regarding the government's stance on the inquiry committee report that found the Chinese company mainly responsible for the accident.
The accident occurred on August 15 when a box-girder fell on a running private car, killing five members of a family.
The minister was briefing the journalists after holding a meeting with the heads of the agencies under the Road Transport and Highways Division at his ministry's conference room.
Executive Director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company and Chairmen of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation attended the meeting. Senior officials of the RTHD were also present.
The minister convened the meeting amid deterioration in the traffic situation on the highways and roads, particularly on the Dhaka- Mymensingh road.
"The traffic situation on the Dhaka- Joydevpur road needs to be eased at any cost," he said.
UNB adds: Mr Quader said the BRT project has turned into a major issue for the government.
"There are some complications on this route. The project started before I took the office. The current state of this project, which is in disarray, is a result of flawed planning. However, I've instructed the project officials to wrap it up at any cost so that we can open it in March-April next year," he said.
He also informed that he rejected a proposal of the World Bank on a similar BRT project up to Sadarghat.
Mr Quader, also General Secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL), added that a total of 100 bridges in different parts of the country will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister in the coming days.
"The bridges will be opened whenever the PM can manage time. Before the inauguration, three rallies will be arranged in the Chattogram region, where most of the bridges have been constructed. The first phase of MRT Line-6 and Bangabandhu Tunnel will also be completed soon," the minister added.
The minister also reaffirmed the government's stance that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in the next general election which will be held under the incumbent government.