Dhaka: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday asked the authorities concerned to complete the renovation works on roads maintaining quality before the monsoon sets in, reports the UNB.

He came up with the directive while speaking at a meeting with the chiefs of organisations under his ministry, ongoing projects and zones of the Roads and Highways Division (RHD) at the Secretariat.

Mentioning that drives to remove all kitchen markets and floating shops over and along roads and highways across the country are underway, the minister underscored the need for making it a success. “Later, steps will be taken to dismantle illegal establishments beside the roads and highways,” he said.

He also asked the RHD to keep both sides of roads free from garbage in municipality areas.

Quader also issued a directive to complete works on bailey bridges in hilly areas within the stipulated time to improve the communications system there to facilitate the movement of tourists.

He said work on the country’s first border road has started and the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf marine drive will be widened by 32 feet.

The minister directed the authorities concerned to install streetlights, set up waiting rooms at different points and introduce a special bus service on the marine drive for tourists.

He said work on the four-lane Elenga-Rangpur highway involving Tk 12,000 crore will begin in February while work on the four-lane Joydebpur-Elenga highway is almost complete and it will be opened to traffic in June next.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Nazrul Islam, RHD Chief Engineer Ibne Alam Hasan, Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Mohammed Moshiar Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan and project directors of ongoing projects were present at the meeting.