Worn-out roads are causing accidents: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has blamed the government for countless deaths in road accidents.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader has recently claimed that the conditions of roads and highways are good.

The BNP chief dismissed the claim while speaking at an iftar party on Tuesday.

The iftar party was organised by Bangladesh Labour Party, an ally of BNP, at Emmanuelle’s Banquet Hall in Gulshan.

“Accidents are regularly taking place all over the country. Everyone has seen the pictures of dilapidated highways, published in newspapers. If the highways are so bad, road accidents will surely increase,” she said.

“We see a procession of deaths under this government. But they (leaders of government) are always up in the air. They do not think about the people on the ground.”

Minister Obaidul Quader has recently complained of ‘exaggerated’ information about the deaths caused by road accidents.

According to statistics from the police, 2,463 people died in 2,665 road accidents in 2016.

Khaleda said the government claims to have done immense development works, but there is no sign of it, as many roads are worn-out in cities and villages.

“If there had been development, people would have plenty to eat, lived well, stayed in peace and had fun,” she said.

Khaleda demanded proper medical treatment for the people injured in landslides in three hill districts.

She also complained that the government had failed to control the soaring prices of essentials during Ramadan.

The BNP chief alleged that the government does not think about public welfare and is always concerned about staying in power.