The economic development of the country is moving at a forward pace with Awami League in power. Due to this, private cars have increased on the streets. In the next five years, traffic jams will be observed at the upazila level as well.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Tajul Islam made the remarks in the Parliament on Wednesday in response to criticism from BNP parliament member Harunur Rashid over frequent traffic congestion in the capital.
Harunur Rashid said noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution, mosquito infestation, and waste management increased due to unplanned urbanization. He also said that not only Dhaka, but the whole of Bangladesh is going to become an uninhabitable place.
Demanding that the traffic congestion in Dhaka cannot be reduced with the implementation of Metro Rail, the BNP MP said that modernization should be brought into the public transport system.
Responding to this, the local government minister said the country's economic development has been going on since the Awami League came to power in 2009. Hence, private cars have increased on the streets. If the Awami League stays in power for another five years, long queues of vehicles will be visible at upazila levels.
Tajul Islam said, “I had an office in Motijheel. I would come to Gulshan in just 10-15 minutes. It takes me a long time now. Why? Because our income is increasing a lot. The country has reached 2,591 dollars per capita income from 300-400 dollars per capita income. Today a lot many more people are buying cars than before.”
“The way people here are becoming economically self-sufficient, many wish to move to Dhaka. This has happened all over the world. Also in London, Tokyo, Kolkata. They have managed it,” he added.
“We are also working on it. The Prime Minister has given instructions. I have been made the president of DAP, I am considering many issues there,” he said.
He further said that the country's economic situation has improved significantly since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed the government in 2009. Due to the increase in per capita income, per capita consumption is increasing and per capita, waste is increasing.
Waste from Dhaka is being collected in a proper manner. The city corporations are regularly cleaning the streets. All city corporations, municipalities and even unions towns are managing to collect waste, the local government minister added.
