Build no new roads in haor areas: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday ordered the ministry concerned not to construct any new roads in the country's haor areas.

She gave the instruction during a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), Planning Minister MA Mannan told The Daily Star.

The PM said flyovers would be constructed, if necessary, in haor areas to improve road communications there.

The meeting was held at the NEC Conference Room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, with the premier joining it virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

Mannan said bridges or culverts would be built to ensure normal flow of water in the haor regions where floods have damaged roads.

The ministry concerned was asked to take up special projects for the flood-hit areas in the haor regions and those would be passed as early as possible, he added.

The haor areas have been hit hard by floods as roads have obstructed the normal flow of water there, the minister said.

"While implementing any plan in future, it should be kept in mind that such damages are not caused to haors."

Mannan said special projects would be undertaken for rehabilitation of the flood victims of the Sylhet region.

Hasina, also the Ecnec chairperson, directed the authorities concerned to find out places where construction of underpasses and overpasses is needed, reports BSS.

Yesterday's meeting approved a total of 10 projects with an overall estimated cost of Tk 2,216.75 crore, including one to widen the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive at a cost of Tk 1,092.35 crore, aimed at flourishing tourism and improving socio-economic conditions there.

The project will be implemented from July 2022 to June 2025.

Six out of the 10 projects are new ones while the rest are revised schemes. Of the total project cost, Tk 1,875.57 crore will come from the government while the rest as project assistance.

Referring to the approval of a Tk 119.50 crore project on the expansion of improved varietyof spices and farming technology, Mannan said the domestic and global demand for spices is growing day by day and its prices are also higher than other crops.

The minister said some seven types of spices are produced in the country now, although 50 types of spices are consumed.

"As a result, most of the domestic demand is being met through imports. So, there is a need to produce more spices to reduce import dependency."

At the outset of the meeting, the Ecnec greeted the PM with a bouquet for inaugurating the long-awaited Padma Bridge.