Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has expressed hope that this year's Eid-ul-Azha journey will be comfortable and smooth despite the challenges of transporting a large number of passengers and sacrificial animals in a short period of time.
He expressed this optimism while talking to reporters after attending a cheque distribution programme for families of road accident victims at the district Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Friday.
The event was jointly organised by the Cumilla district administration and the Cumilla circle of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
At the programme, compensation cheques worth a total of Tk 4.89 crore were distributed among the families of 86 people killed, and 33 injured victims of road accidents.
Families of the deceased received Tk 5 lakh each, while the injured received between Tk 2 lakh and Tk 3 lakh each.
The minister said transporting nearly 2.5 crore people along with sacrificial animals within a limited time remains a major challenge during Eid al-Adha every year.
“Due to limitations in the country’s infrastructure and transport system, Eid travel often becomes difficult. However, with public cooperation, awareness and favourable weather conditions, we hope this year’s Eid journey will be smooth and comfortable,” he said.
Rabiul Alam also said work is underway to expand the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway into a 10-lane corridor, while development activities are continuing on other important highways across the country.
Referring to road safety, he said around 4,500 people lose their lives in road accidents annually on average.
“Driver inefficiency, unfit vehicles and lack of public awareness are the main reasons behind accidents. The government has taken various initiatives to reduce these incidents,” the minister added.
State Minister for Railways, and Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid, Cumilla-6 lawmaker Md Manirul Haque Chowdhury, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque and BRTA Chairman Mohammad Habibur Rahman were also present.
MSH
