Expressing discontent over the poor condition of rural roads under the remit of the LGRD Ministry, lawmakers in the House yesterday asked the state minister for LGRD questions as to why no measure was taken to fix the roads even after issuing DO letters several times in this regard.
State Minister for LGRD Moshiur Rahman Ranga said the roads could not be repaired as the allocation demanded was not received.
“Insufficient allocation in the budget is what caused the roads to remain in such dire conditions. Even I could not construct a single inch of road in my constituency,” Ranga told the parliament at the question-and-answer session, responding to the questions in the absence of LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam.
Mir Mostaque Ahmed Robi, the MP of Satkhira 2, said 80% of the roads in his constituency are kutcha, and he issued several DO letters but the ministry had not taken any step. Joypurhat 1 lawmaker Shamsul Alam Dudu alleged the same, saying there was no response to a number of DO letters issued addressing the ministry.
Independent lawmaker Haji Md Selim of Dhaka 7 constituency said city road conditions were not good either.
“The city dwellers are also suffering from gas and water shortage,” he said.
Responding to the complaint, Ranga again mentioned the lack of budget as the reason, and said the problem would be sorted out soon.
“I can assure that there will be no kutcha roads in the country if there is no political violence like general strike and blockade in the next five years,” he said.
Responding to the question of Naogaon 6 lawmaker Israfil Alam, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraf said (in written answer) that the ministry had demanded Tk3,500 crore but received Tk900 crore for constructing rural roads and culverts.
In reply to the question of Awami League lawmaker AFM Nasim, Ashraf said the city corporation authorities failed to successfully deal with illegal occupation of footpaths and roads because of the lack of sincerity on the part of law enforcers and also the dominion of local influential figures.