This Eid journey will be comfortable: Road Transport Minister

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Rabiul Alam said that although the Eid journey is challenging, this time it will be comfortable. The government and law enforcement agencies have taken various steps to ensure a smooth Eid journey. Transporting 25 million people and sacrificial animals in a short period of time is a big challenge. The Eid journey becomes difficult every year due to the country's infrastructure and transportation system. However, with everyone's cooperation, public awareness and favorable weather, it will be possible to make this Eid journey comfortable and smooth.

The minister said these things to reporters after distributing a total of 48.9 million taka compensation checks among the families of 86 people killed and 33 injured in road accidents at the Comilla District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Friday afternoon.

The compensation check distribution ceremony was organized by the Comilla District Administration and BRTA Comilla Circle, organized by the BRTA Trustee Board and Bangladesh Railways.

The minister said that the government is working to upgrade the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to 10 lanes. Apart from this, the government is also working to develop other highways.

He said that on average, about 4,500 people lose their lives in road accidents every year. The main reason for this is the inefficiency of drivers and unfit vehicles. The lack of awareness of the people is also a reason. We have to reduce these. The government will work to rehabilitate the families of those killed and injured in road accidents.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Railways Ministry and Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid said, we are trying to fulfill our duties with dedication and honesty. Action is being taken by identifying accident-prone places and causes and taking advance measures. As a result, the number of accidents is also decreasing.

Addressing the minister as a special guest, Comilla-6 constituency MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury expressed his anger and said, I want to know - what is the actual number of road fatalities? How much money has been spent on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway?

Also present as special guests at the event were Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department Dr. Md. Ziaul Haque, BRTA Chairman Mohammad Habibur Rahman and senior officials of the Comilla district administration.