Interim government’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for accelerating the integrated development of road, rail, air, and waterways while protecting nature, the environment, and rivers from adverse impacts.
“Our communication system is in a state of utter disarray,” he said. “If it’s not brought under discipline soon, it will become a noose around the neck of the economy.”
He made the remarks on Sunday (November 2) during an inter-ministerial meeting on the “Central Integrated Multimodal Transport Sector Master Plan of Bangladesh” held at the state guest house, Jamuna.
The Chief Adviser emphasized, “When we think of rivers as a means of communication, we must remember that rivers are our lifeline. Development must not harm the environment or the rivers. We have to keep the water calm — it’s one of our greatest resources.”
During the meeting, the Roads and Highways Department presented a preliminary strategic plan outlining how to bring discipline to the country’s overall transport system by integrating and upgrading existing road, rail, and waterway networks.
The Chief Adviser said, “This plan provides us with a strong initial framework. Now, we need to take effective steps for its implementation. The entire plan should focus on economic prosperity while also considering regional and global connectivity.”
The meeting was attended by Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib, and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, along with secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries.
BIDA Chairman noted, “By 2030, three new ports will be launched in Chattogram. Therefore, swift action must be taken to ensure smooth and efficient road connectivity to these ports.