The Daily Morning Voice Online Desk: Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the government has 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 while addressing a press conference in his ministry’s meeting room at the secretariat here. He said the feasibility study on establishment of metro rail line in Chattogram outside capital is also going on.

Mentioning that the metro rail project was taken up long ago, he said there will be two more service lanes in Dhaka-Chattogram. The minister, however, said the government currently cannot take big projects for 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 there will be no sound pollution during metro rail operation. He hoped people can 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 the most important responsibility of this government is now to turn various crises into possibilities. “Different steps are being implemented across the country to improve the transportation system,” he added. Replying to a query over BNP’s mass procession in Dhaka on 30 December next, Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said BNP will commit violence in the name of rally. Issuing a warning against the BNP, he said the Awami League will remain vigilant on the day of BNP’s pre-announced mass procession. 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 is no problem with Awami League even if voting is done by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in all centers in the upcoming general elections. He said that the Election Commission will 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.