AL to remain vigilant on BNP's Friday's mass procession: Quader

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday warned that the Awami League would remain vigilant on the day of the BNP’s pre-announced mass procession, scheduled to be held on Friday  (December 30), reports BSS

The Awami League leader made the comment, replying to a journalist's question, at a press conference in his ministry's meeting room at the secretariat in Dhaka.  
The AL general secretary said that the BNP would commit violence in the name of rally.

Quader, who is also the Road Transport and Bridges minister, said that the government had an integrated action plan to establish six more metro rail lines in Dhaka by 2030.

"There is an integrated action plan to build six more metro rail lines in Dhaka by 2030," he said.

He said the feasibility study on establishment of metro rail line in Chattogram outside capital was also going on.

Mentioning that the metro rail project was taken up long ago, he said that there would be two more service lanes in Dhaka-Chattogram.

The minister, however, said the government currently could not take large projects due to the ongoing global crisis.

Referring to the government's initiatives for the welfare of the countrymen, he said, "We can open half of the elevated expressway next year."

Noting that the metro rail of Bangladesh is more modern than that of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Kolkata, he said that there would be no sound pollution during metro rail operation.

He hoped that people could enjoy the service of metro rail from Motijheel during the tenure of incumbent government.

In reply to a question on metro rail fares, he said,"...There may be no problem with metro rail fares. The rickshaw-fare is now 20 taka if anyone rides on it."

He said that the most important responsibility of this government was now to turn various crises into possibilities.

"Different steps are being implemented across the country to improve the transportation system," he added.

Regarding the Rangpur City Corporation elections, Quader said that democracy has won in the elections.

If there is any evidence that the party leaders did not work on behalf of the Awami League candidate, organizational action will be taken against them within a week, he added.

The veteran AL leader said that there was no problem with Awami League even if voting was done by Electronic Voting Machine in all centers in the upcoming general elections.

He said that the Election Commission would decide whether EVMs will be in all election centers or not.

Elections should be held under EVM system in all centers and it is the demand from the Awami League, he said, adding that, however, Awami League has no problem if voting is done without EVM system.