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Published : 16 Mar 2025, 10:58 PM
Road Transport Advisor Md Fouzul Kabir Khan has predicted a future shortfall of space for crop cultivation, industrial production, and even burial sites if land acquisition for roads and bridges continues at current rate.
He said the rising number of bridges in Bangladesh led to the use of rivers for waste disposal instead of transporting passengers and goods.
Sharing his recent experience during a visit to the Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant, the advisor expressed his concerns in a Facebook post on Sunday.
He said when it comes to domestic travel, his preferred mode of transportation is the river route, followed by rail, air, and lastly, road.
Fouzul, however, lamented that it had become difficult to use river routes due to a lack of quality launch services.
He claimed that the importance of river transport was diminishing.
The advisor said: "Now, in Dhaka’s Sadarghat, we have to cover our noses with handkerchiefs while walking.
“Is this our fate? Will our rivers only be used for transporting waste?”
Reflecting on his visit to the power plant, Fouzul said: “On the last weekend, I went to visit the two coal-based power plants in Payra. I had planned to travel by launch through Patuakhali but was informed that there were no good launch services, so road travel was recommended instead.
“There used to be good launches, but since the Padma Bridge [was constructed], they’ve stopped operating due to a lack of passengers.
“I insisted on taking the launch via Barishal, though this would add 1 to 1.5 hours to my journey.”
He continued, “That’s how I used to go and return. Even here, the passenger shortage due to the Padma Bridge was evident.
“The launch we returned on the 15th of March had its next schedule only on the 19th. Other launches might run in between.
“On my way to Payra, we crossed several rivers. These rivers were so beautiful, and calm, with gentle waves in the light breeze, yet not a single boat or water vessel was in sight.
“When will the gluttony for roads and bridges end?”
He continued, “That’s how I had gone and returned. Even here, the passenger shortage due to the Padma Bridge was evident."
