Work on Metro Rail project continuing in compliance with health guidelines: Quader
Two field hospitals are being constructed to treat any worker who gets infected with the coronavirus
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the work of the Metro Rail project is continuing with strict adherence to health guidelines.
He said two field hospitals with a total capacity of 30 beds are being constructed to test workers before deploying them and to treat any worker who gets infected with the coronavirus while working.
Quader said this at a briefing on the progress of the ongoing project under his ministry, reads a press release.
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He said 12 kilometres of the flyover has already become visible. Rail lines are being set up on the flyover and construction of the first set of trains has been completed at a factory in Japan.
"Construction of four more sets of trains is underway. If the coronavirus situation improves, the trains will be shipped to the country from Japan," he added.
At the briefing, the minister also said that despite all the adversities, construction of the Padma Bridge is also being carried out. Installation of decks on the 31 steel trusses is currently in progress.
He said the coronavirus could also not affect the work of the under-construction Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River.
Mentioning that the excavation of the river bed is going on, he said that excavation for one of the two tubes is already 92 percent complete. Recently, other works of the tunnel have also gained momentum, the minister said.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is going to finance the much-awaited upgrade of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four lanes. Noting that the funding has already been approved by the ADB in next year's budget, he said designs are currently being drafted for the project.
The project will be presented to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) soon, the road transport and bridges minister informed.
The prime minister has directed the ministry to carry on with the development projects under the Road Transport and Highways Department and the Bridges Department in compliance with the health directives, the press release adds.
Quader said the buzz of work has returned, overcoming the sudden pause triggered by the coronavirus outbreak.
He said Bangladesh is now facing three challenges: preventing coronavirus infections, protecting people in flood-hit districts and avoiding crowds during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. The minister appealed to all to follow health guidelines and avoid crowds.
