Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said Sandwip is an isolated island, and even after 54 years of independence, there has been no development there.
“The people of Sandwip have been kept hostage within the island. The hardship is travelling to and from the island, which seems like punishment to serious crime,” he said while inspecting the development activities of the Banshbaria Guptachara ferry terminal in Sitakunda on Sunday.
"My home is also in Sandwip, I understand this hardship. But hardship is not the main issue. The main issue is development. All development has taken place in Dhaka or other big cities. Sandwip has been deprived of development over the years,” he said.
He said the chief adviser has instructed the authorities concerned to give due importance to places where development has not reached as per expectation.
He said: "If you want to punish someone, just tell them to visit Sandwip at least once. To get there, men, women, and children must wade into waist-deep water and struggle to board the boat while balancing their luggage on their heads. Moreover, the terminal is plagued by various mismanagement issues."
The adviser added: "We are currently working on connecting roads on both sides of the ferry. We are committed to complete it by upcoming March."