Quader blames soil condition for higher road-construction cost

Road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader on Monday told parliament that road-construction cost in Bangladesh is higher than that of India and China due to the difference in soil conditions, reports UNB. 

He came up with the remarks in reply to a supplementary question from BNP MP Rumeen Farhana. 

In the supplementary question, the BNP MP criticised the minister saying that road-construction cost in Bangladesh is much higher than that of India and China. 

Rumeen wanted to know whether the ministry concerned is taking any measure in this regard. Roads in Bangladesh are not durable despite the higher construction cost and this causes sufferings to people, she added. 

In reply, Quader said, "You'll have to understand that the soil conditions of China and India are different from Bangladesh. You'll have to consider this when you go for the comparison of construction cost [between Bangladesh and India-China]." 

In reply to a question from another MP, Quader said the government considers taking a pilot project in a bid to increase surveillance on highways round the clock using modern information technology to prevent road accidents. 

He said Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Highway Police, Fire Service and Civil Defence will be included in the surveillance team.

Source: unb/Prothom Alo