Smart roads needed to build 'Smart Bangladesh': Quader

Road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said smart connectivity is needed to build 'Smart Bangladesh'.

"Smart roads are needed to build a smart Bangladesh. Smart connectivity is required," he told a contract signing ceremony here.

The contract of Lot No DS-5 of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project was signed at a city hotel. The length of the road under Tk 17,000-crore project is 209 km.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the poor road condition before completion of the project, Quader said the work of the project must be completed within specific timeframe maintaining its quality.

He said from the beginning, the Dhaka-Sylhet highway should have been a four-lane one, while such mistakes should not be made in taking projects.

The road transport and bridges minister said there is no new project right now but the works of the ongoing project must be completed maintaining its standard.

"Now the people of Sylhet region are eagerly waiting (for implementation of the project). The Sylhet people are very happy in development of the road. Those who are benefited from it are happy. The project must be completed within timeframe. Quality first, pay heed to it," he said.

Chairmen of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Rowshan Ara Mannan, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Edimon Ginting and Project Director of SASEC Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project AK Mohammad Fazlul Karim were, among others, were present at the signing ceremony.