Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said the role of a strong opposition is very important in advancing the country’s democratic system.
Calling upon BNP to come out of the trend of negative politics, Quader hoped that the party would continue to participate in “the politics of elections” in the future, reports BSS.
“BNP is participating in the recent by-polls and all the local government elections, which is a good omen for politics. We welcome the BNP’s positive decisions,” he said.
Quader said there is no alternative to participating in elections with a view to taking the parliamentary politics forward and institutionalising democracy in the country.
The road transport and bridges minister came up with the statement while addressing a meeting through videoconferencing from his official residence in Dhaka. The meeting was held to review the progress of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel being constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
About the progress of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the tunnel on February 24 in 2019.
“I would like to inform you delightfully that the excavation and ring installation works of a 2.5-km tube out of two beneath the river has already been completed. Excavation of another tube is expected to begin in November next,” he added.
The road transport and bridges minister said about 58 per cent work of the tunnel project has so far been completed.
Once the construction works of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel are completed, the scenario of Chattogram will be changed, he said, adding that after the construction of this tunnel, Chattogram would be ‘One City Two Towns’ like Shanghai of China.
Quader said when the tunnel project is completed, Chattogram will get a new look at the mouths of rivers, hills and the sea. “Another Chattogram will be built on the other side of the river. Trade and commerce will be expanded,” he added.
He said a Chinese firm has been implementing the tunnel project and 300 Chinese people are working there.
The tunnel excavation is going on using advanced technology, the bridges minister said, urging the project workers to do additional works everyday so that the project could be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Bridges Division secretary Mohammed Belayet Hossain, project director Md Harun Ur Rashid and Bridges Division chief engineer Mohammad Ferdous, among others, joined the meeting.