Staff Reporter :
In an effort to increase connectivity among the South Asian countries, the four countries of the region-Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan-are going to sign an agreement to build a road link next month.
“The four countries agreed to sign a deal in Bhutanese capital Thimphu on June 15 to establish a road network. It will increase the connectivity and people-to-people contact in this region,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Thursday.
The minister made this announcement while speaking at a meeting of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) in the auditorium of Dhaka South City Corporation.
A European Union-like road communication would be built to facilitate the people of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and
Bhutan to travel in this region, Quader said.
“A secretary-level meeting of the four countries would be held at Thimphu on June 14 and the ‘Motor Vehicle Transport Agreement’ to that end would be signed at the ministerial meeting the following day,” the minister said.
However, the road network would not be used for carrying commodities, the minister added.
When asked if there is any provision for visa exemption in the agreement like the European Union countries, the minister evaded the question.
The minister also vented his anger at the Secretary and the Chief Engineer of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry for not allocating land to Narayanganj City Corporation to keep its buses.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon and the Mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation Selina Hayat Ivy were present in the meeting.
