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BNP Student Wing Protests, Halting Two Trains in Rajbari
Rtv News
03 Nov 2024, 15:41
Photo: Collected
Leaders and activists of the BNP's student wing (Chhatra Dal) staged a protest, blocking the railway tracks and halting trains to demand that the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains continue operating via Rajbari station, instead of the proposed route change.
On Sunday morning (November 3), protesters stopped the Dhaka-bound “Madhumati Express” from Rajshahi and the Khulna-bound “Sundarban Express” from Dhaka at Rajbari Railway Station, chanting slogans to express their demands.
The activists circled the entire railway station in a protest procession, led by district Chhatra Dal convener Ariful Islam Roman. After blocking the “Madhumati Express” for 35 minutes and the “Sundarban Express” for 20 minutes, the protesters cleared the tracks at noon, allowing both trains to resume their journeys.
Protesters stated that they had learned the Dhaka-bound Sundarban Express from Khulna and the Benapole Express from Benapole would change their route from November 15, bypassing Rajbari and depriving residents of Rajbari and nearby districts of rail services. As a result, they are demanding that the route change be canceled and that both trains continue to operate via Rajbari.
They also urged authorities to introduce additional trains on this route rather than discontinuing the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains. The protesters warned of stronger action if their demands are not met.
Rajbari Railway Station Master Tanmoy Kumar Dutta mentioned that no official directive regarding the route change for the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains had been received from the Ministry of Railways, either in writing or verbally.
He further explained that the Dhaka-bound “Madhumati Express” from Rajshahi arrived at Rajbari station at 11:10 a.m. and was scheduled to depart after a 15-minute stop at 11:25 a.m. However, due to the protest, the train was delayed by 35 minutes and departed for Dhaka at noon. Similarly, the Khulna-bound “Sundarban Express” from Dhaka arrived at 11:10 a.m. with a scheduled departure at 11:40 a.m. but was delayed by 20 minutes and left at noon due to the protest.
Notably, the Sundarban and Benapole Express trains, which began service in November 2023, offer a convenient route for residents of Rajbari and neighboring districts to reach Dhaka quickly.
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Traffic Congestion in Dhaka / Wasting Around 82,00,000 Working Hours Daily
The traffic congestion in the capital city is wasting around 8.2 million working hours daily. Massive use of private vehicles is responsible for the lack of order on the roads and thus, people cannot enjoy the advantage of rising public transport.
Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury revealed this at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday (October 6) at 11 o'clock.
In his written speech, he said, "The citizens of the capital are stuck in a terrible traffic jam because of the lack of respect for the rules and regulations of the passengers. It takes more than 4 to 5 hours to go from one end of the city to another. 8.2 million working hours of working people are wasted every day in Dhaka's traffic jams. BUET's information says that the financial loss in this traffic jam is Tk50,000cr every year.
He said, "The capital's public transport system has been broken for ages. Buses and mini-buses operating in the city are discolored with no rear light indicators and front-looking glasses. Can't sit on the seat with two legs apart. The footrests and catch handles are broken, have to stand for long periods. During the hot summer days, the bus is drenched in sweat, and in the rainy season, the bus is still drenched in rain. There is no cleanliness in any buses. Buses are not available at the right time even after enduring the agony of getting on and off the dirty, infested, cockroach-infested buses."
Mozammel further said, 'In such a reality, the able-bodied are buying private cars by taking loans. Others have turned to motorcycle ride-sharing, auto-rickshaws, easy bikes, e-bikes, and smaller vehicles like ride-hailing. As a result, 4,00,000 pedal-powered rickshaws, 6,00,000 battery-powered rickshaws and easybikes, 1,34,000 small ride-sharing vehicles, 30,000 CNG-powered auto-rickshaws are moving freely in the city, along with chaotic buses, the traffic congestion and crowding of the city are increasing extremely. On the other hand, the traffic system to control these vehicles is still outdated. After the change of government, 4,000 traffic police in the city are still inactive. In this situation, modern engineering traffic control system needs to be introduced on an urgent basis to reduce traffic congestion."
"According to BRTA's information, an average of 800 small vehicles are coming down in the capital every day. According to a JICA survey, 60 percent of the daily average 40 million trip passengers travel in Dhaka metropolis use public transport. 67 percent of these passengers use buses only. However, the quality of passenger service of Dhaka City Bus has been lacking quality for the last 20 years. To reduce the traffic congestion in Dhaka, the bus-minibus system must be fixed first. The registration of small vehicles and the movement of these vehicles on the main roads of the city should be stopped," he further added.
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity has demanded to improve city services in Dhaka city by providing a bus route rationalization system with privileged lanes, removing small vehicles including rickshaws, and easy bikes from the main roads of the city, and scientifically controlling the traffic system.
Flood Situation Improves in Sherpur, Death Toll Rises to 8
The river water in Sherpur has started decreasing gradually. As a result, the overall flood situation of the district has improved somewhat.
However, thousands of people are still stuck in the water. A total of 8 people have died in Nalitabari, Jhenaigati, and Nokla upazilas in the last 4 days.
Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman confirmed the matter on Monday (October 7).
Various areas can be seen on the surface, and the people of waterlogged areas are suffering. Relief aid has not yet reached many places. However, the district administration says that assistance has already reached the affected areas. Torofdar said that relief distribution will continue.
The Agriculture Department and the Fisheries Department say that 47,000 hectares of arable land in the district have been submerged under the flood water. Apart from this, 1,000 hectares of vegetables have been damaged. More than 6,000 fish cages have sunk. Aman farmers and fishermen have been affected by this. At least 1,75,000 farmers in the district have lost everything.
Earlier, Sanowar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Nalitabari police station confirmed the death of 6 people. He said, "Khalilur Rahman (65) of Nalitabari, Sherpur, Idris Ali (66) of Andharupara, two brothers Alam (17) and Hatem (30) of Kutubakura village in Nischintapur, Omeja Bewa of Baghbed Balurchar drowned in the sudden flood, he said. Apart from this, one was rescued from Sandhyakura in Jhenaigati. But his identity was not found."
Apart from this, two deaths were reported in Nakla Upazila. Confirming the matter, Nokla Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Habibur Rahman said that a person named Moktar Ali (50) died after being electrocuted by an electric wire in the flood water in Kurerkanda of Urfa Union of the upazila. On the other hand, Gazaria of Ganapaddi of the same upazila was drowned in flood water. Another person named Razzak died.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Torofdar said, "One died in Nokla on Saturday night. Additionally, five people died in Nalitabari and one in Jhenaigati upazila due to the flood. The water of almost all the rivers in the district is below the danger limit. The water has started to recede. This has slightly improved the overall flood situation of the district."
No Security Threat During 'Durga Puja', Still We Are Cautious: IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mainul Islam said that there is no security concern in the upcoming 'Durga Puja'.
He said this to reporters after visiting Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital on Monday (October 7) afternoon.
The IGP said that there is no fear of any terrorist attack during the puja. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert. There is no room for any kind of chaos and inactivity.
He also said that Ansar has been deployed in important Puja Mondops. They will be deployed in all puja Mondops from Tuesday. Other police patrols and striking forces will be deployed. Armed forces are deployed in all districts.
Moinul Islam said, there is no opportunity for inactivity anywhere. Cyber monitoring has been strengthened. 999 is always on. A special control room will monitor the security of the puja from across the country.
He said that control rooms have been launched in each upazila, district, and police headquarters. Action will be taken immediately if anyone wants to create disturbance anywhere, in any Pujamondop.
RAJUK Lacks Transparency, Accountability Since Its Inception: Rizwana
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the adviser on environment, forest, and climate, said that urbanization is not acceptable by destroying the environment. Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has lacked transparency and accountability since its inception.
She stated this during a discussion on 'World Boshoti Day' at RAJUK Bhaban on Monday (October 7) morning.
Rizwana said, "When Mr. Ershad renamed RAJUK from DIT, only development took place in the capital. However, I have not seen accountability, transparency there."
She said, "Rajuk has a board, there is a need for involvement. I cannot reach my solution if I think I have included RAJUK with some bureaucrats."
Rizwana said, "We have to go through many ups and downs in new Bangladesh. We have to go through various challenges and obstacles."
She further said, "Healthy and beautiful cities should be built with the advice of young people and urban experts. Boshoti means not only a house but also a habitable place."
In the discussion, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan said that the reform of city organizations including RAJUK is necessary. There is no housing system for the poor in Dhaka. The main challenge of the government is to build it.
Flood Situation Worsens in Netrokona, Death Toll Rises to 9 in Sherpur
A child drowned in floodwaters while playing near a roadside in Nalitabari, Sherpur, raising the death toll from the floods in the district to 9. Although no new rainfall has occurred, floodwaters have started to recede in Mymensingh and Sherpur. However, in Netrokona, water levels continue to rise due to upstream mountain runoff.
On Tuesday (October 8), a visit to Jhenaigati, Nalitabari, and Sribordi upazilas revealed that while floodwaters have begun to recede, the suffering of the people remains unchanged. More than 150,000 people across five upazilas in Sherpur are still trapped by the floods. Water from upstream continues to flow downstream through various rivers, forcing thousands to seek shelter in relief centers, where they face severe shortages of food and clean water.
Flood-affected people at the shelters reported that fish from their ponds have been washed away, and thousands of hectares of Aman paddy have been submerged.
According to a report by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, water levels are rising in rivers like the Kangsha, Jingiram, Someshwari, and Old Brahmaputra in the Mymensingh division. The water level in the Bhogai River has stabilized, but in Sherpur’s Bhogai River and Nakuagaon, as well as the Jingiram River at the Gualkanda point in Jamalpur, water continues to flow above the danger level.
In Netrokona, the flood situation has worsened. Although water levels in the Someshwari River have receded, the Ubodhakhali River is flowing 29 centimeters above the danger level, and water levels in the Kangsha River have also increased, causing new areas to be flooded.
Over 150 villages across Durgapur, Kalmakanda, and three other upazilas in Netrokona are submerged, leaving hundreds of thousands of people waterlogged. Crops and fish farms have been swept away by the floodwaters.
Efforts Underway to Recognize Qawmi Madrasa Certificates: Religious Affairs Advisor
Maulana Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that efforts are being made to officially recognize Qawmi Madrasa certificates.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday (October 8) at a Seeratunnabi Mahfil in the Jamiahtus Sunnah Madrasa of Shibchar, Madaripur, he said, "We are working with the Ministry of Education to implement a system so that Qawmi Madrasa graduates can serve in various fields."
He mentioned that the previous government had equated Qawmi certificates with an MA (Master’s) degree. "Now, we are looking into how these graduates can be integrated into different sectors such as schools, colleges, madrasas, the army, air force, navy, and other fields."
Additionally, he discussed the possibility of sending Hajj pilgrims by ship, noting that discussions with a Saudi minister and local ship companies are ongoing. Plans are being made to send 3,000 pilgrims by ship this year to reduce costs.
Maulana Khalid Hossain also emphasized that the Saudi government is supportive of this initiative and that efforts are being made to make Hajj packages more affordable.
Sliced Pieces of Hilsa in Rajshahi Priced Tk200 Per Piece
The price of Hilsa has skyrocketed. Low-income people cannot afford to buy. However, the traders of Rajshahi are giving an opportunity to eat Hilsa. On their initiative, the sliced Hilsa is available in the market from morning. A piece of Hilsa (approximately 100 grams) is being sold at Tk200.
On Thursday morning, leaders from the Rajshahi Byabasayi Oikya Parishad and the Fishermen's Association inaugurated the sliced Hilsa sales at Machhapatti in Saheb Bazar.
The leaders of the Business Coordination Council said that this initiative is for the first time in Bangladesh which is starting from Rajshahi. Anyone can take a piece if they want.
But the sellers say that if the fish is sliced and sold, the price will be higher. And buyers complain that the price of sliced fish is unusually high.
A customer named Samiul Alam said that this was a joke with the customers. Instead of doing these, the price of fish should be reduced. Because, by cutting small fish, they are raising the price of big fish.
Another buyer Sourabh Hossain said, the way the price of Hilsa is increasing, it is difficult to buy and eat. We may be able to buy and eat with such an initiative.
Fish seller Abdur Rahim said, selling whole fish and sliced fish at one price will result in loss. So the price of sliced fish is high. Selling less than 250 grams will result in loss.
Sekender Ali, general secretary of the Rajshahi Byabasayi Oikya Parishad, emphasized that this initiative addresses long-standing consumer demands, allowing more people to enjoy Hilsa.
"Many haven't eaten Hilsa in 10-15 years. This program was started in response to their complaints, and we saw about 8-10 Hilsa sold within the first half hour," he said.
He added, "We will monitor the availability of sliced Hilsa to ensure it remains accessible. If anyone refuses to sell Hilsa in this manner, we will take action against them. We will also keep a close watch on pricing."
