Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday told parliament that the work for setting spans on the piers of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) would begin from December and January next year. The minister was replying to a supplementary question from Awami League (AL) lawmaker Navana Akhter. He said 38 per cent construction of the bridge had already been completed. The 12th session of Parliament began around 5:10pm, with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. Replying to another supplementary question from AL lawmaker Sanjida Khanom, Obaidul Quader said the government would implement the 55-km expressway from the Dolairpar point of Mayor Hanif Flyover to Bhanga of Faridpur via Buriganga-1 Bridge, Mawa and Padma Bridge.
He also said a number of flyovers would be built under the expressway project along with service lanes to expedite road communication with the south-western part of the country.
The minister said the government would work in a coordinated manner to ease the congestion in the capital. He emphasised the need to follow rules and regulations regarding plying of transports in the city and leaving footpaths for pedestrians. Obaidul Quader also said the number of road accidents during the first eight months of the current year had been reduced to half of what the previous year had experienced.
He assured the House that the government was working to ensure safety on highways. Lomg stretches of roads that needed urgent repair had been identified and action would be taken immediately, he added.