Chittagong, the financial hub of Bangladesh, has become unfit for human habitation, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has said. Expressing resentment on overall condition of Chittagong, the minister made the remark on Sunday. He was talking to the reporters while participating in an awareness campaign. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organised the campaign to reduce road accidents and bring order to the public transport sector at Agrabad area in Chittagong. Obaidul said: “Chittagong has become unlivable today. There are heaps of garbage all around the city."
Chittagong is the second largest and commercial capital of Bangladesh. It is the premier port and industrial centre of Bangladesh. The Chittagong metropolitan area has a population of over 6.5 million.
Chittagong has been missing discipline in public transportation system, the minister noted. "The city streets are in a dilapidated condition," he added. The minister also said coordinated efforts as well as awareness raising campaign are required to bring discipline in mass transport. “It will only take three days to repair the streets of the port city if the responsibility is given to me,” the minister said. He urged the authority concerned to work with commitment in this regard. He ordered the officials of BRTA to take actions against unlicensed motorbikes, CNG-run auto rickshaws and battery-run rickshaws. During the campaign, the minister also distributed awareness raising leaflets to the pedestrians, passengers and drivers of public vehicles.
