Sylhet Bureau :
A mass sit-in programme and human chain program has been held in Sylhet demanding the speedy renovation of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway and the removal of travel woes.
The programme was held from 12 noon to 1:30 pm on Monday at the call of District BNP President Abdul Quiyum Chowdhury in the Humayun Rashid Chattar area of ​​South Surma Sylhet . In addition to BNP leaders and activists, people from different classes and professions participated in the programme.
Abdul Quiyum Chowdhury said in the human chain that the Dhaka-Sylhet highway is not just a road, it is the lifeline of the people of Sylhet. But due to the mismanagement and indifference of the government, it has now become a death trap. He alleged that lives are lost in accidents every day, people are suffering miserably.
Referring to the poor condition of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, the BNP leader said that despite spending crores of taka in the name of renovations year after year, there has been no visible progress. The people of Sylhet are suffering from traffic jams, accidents and broken roads. This has brought tourism and business activities to a standstill. Yet, the government has not taken any effective initiative.
Urging the interim government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of the people of Sylhet, the district BNP president said that it is not enough to ensure that people can go to Chittagong in three hours, but Sylhet should also be given equal importance. Sylhet cannot be deprived anymore. Sylhet has been deprived of a full-fledged international airport. Even after three rounds of terrible floods, no initiative has been taken to rehabilitate the affected people.
Complaining about the suffering of the people of Sylhet, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury said that even though gas is produced in Sylhet, the people here suffer from gas shortage. Trains do not come on time on the railway, and the fares of flights are also high. Sylhet has been discriminated against in all areas – education, health, technical, road-rail communication or airports.
Speakers at the human chain demanded the speedy completion of highway renovation work, investigation into corruption in past projects and punishment of those involved, compensation for those killed in accidents and alternative traffic arrangements. At the end of the program, it was announced that the district BNP would submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and the Upazila BNP to the concerned Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on October 20.
The programme was moderated by the joint secretary of the district BNP, Tajrul Islam Tajul. The program was addressed by district BNP vice president Nazmul Hossain Putul, joint secretary Hasan Patwari Ripon, advisor Falakuzzaman Chowdhury Jaglu, advisor Badrul Islam Joydu, South Surma Thana BNP convener Enamul Haque, principal of M Saifur Rahman Technical and BM College of Gowainghat Upazila Zillur Rahman Sueb, president of Sylhet Division Teachers-Employees Unity Council Nizam Uddin Tarafdar, among others.
