National
PM to Inaugurate Dhaka Elevated Expressway on Sept 2
The airport to Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway is set to be inaugurated on September 2, announced Road, Transport, and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader during a press briefing at Setu Bhaban in Dhaka.
Minister Quader revealed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officiate the inauguration of this section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Traffic will be allowed on the expressway one day after the inauguration.
The minister expressed his hope that the opening of the first phase, from Kawla to Farmgate, will significantly alleviate traffic congestion in the area.
With approximately 98% of the construction completed for this section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, all crucial engineering works are in their final stages. The authorities have established a speed limit of 60 km/h on the expressway, and motorcycles and bicycles will not be permitted.
Project details indicate that the initial contract was signed on January 19, 2011, followed by a revised agreement on December 15, 2013. The project’s stipulated completion period spans from July 2011 to June 2024.
The total length of the elevated expressway amounts to 46.73 km, with the main elevated portion covering 19.73 km.
The Dhaka Elevated Expressway is intended to connect Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, and Qutubkhali along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has received five fresh complaints of murder, genocide and crimes against humanity against a total of 228 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Confirming the matter to BSS, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the complaints were filed with the office of the chief prosecutor on Sunday.
Charges were brought against Sheikh Hasina and 64 others over the killings of college students Nure Alam Siddique Rakib and Zubayer on the Mymensingh-Kishoreganj Highway on July 20. Rakib’s father Abdul Halim and Zubayer’s father Anwar Uddin filed the complaint yesterday.
Sheikh Hasina and 27 others were accused of the killing of Maruf Hossain in front of BRAC University in the capital’s Badda area on July 19. Maruf’s father Mohammad Idris filed the complaint.
One Shafikul Islam Sarkar filed the third complaint against Sheikh Hasina and other unnamed accused over the killing of his son Faisal Sarkar on July 19 in Uttara Abdullahpur area.
Hasina was accused along with 75 others in another complaint filed over the killing of Mahfuzur Rahman, 25, in Mirpur-10 intersection area on July 19. Mahfuzur’s father Abdul Mannan filed the complaint.
One Mohammad Amanullah filed another complaint against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 57 others over the killing of his son Samiu Aman Nur, 13, in Uttara Azampur Footover Bridge area on August 5.
The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Bangladesh today with profound religious reverence. The observance was confirmed during the National Moon Sighting Committee’s meeting on September 4, held at the Islamic Foundation’s Conference Room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar, as announced in a press release.
The committee confirmed that the moon of Rabiul Awal 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on September 4, marking the beginning of the holy month of Rabiul Awal from September 5 (Thursday).
On this day in 570, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, bringing divine blessings and messages of peace to humanity. He passed away on the same date, 12th Rabiul Awal, of the Hijri calendar.
In honor of the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, issued separate messages, extending greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programmes, while various national newspapers have published supplements underscoring the significance of the event. The day is also observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
In a meeting held on Saturday (14 September), garment factory owners across the country unanimously agreed to resume operations starting today. However, it was also decided that individual factories may be closed according to legal procedures, in order to protect the industry and national interests, while safeguarding workers’ employment. This measure would apply particularly if workers refuse to work, leave the premises, or attempt to instigate disturbances.
The decision came during a discussion on the current crisis facing the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, held at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka. The meeting, chaired by BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was attended by key government advisers and leaders from BGMEA, BKMEA, and labor unions.
Expressing serious concern about the ongoing labor unrest, participants warned that the instability could jeopardize the vital export-oriented garment sector. The advisers urged factory owners to continue operations and assured them of government support, including enhanced security measures, should unrest arise.
