C'nawabganj people stage sit-in on highway for gas

30 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, C'nawabganj

People from all walks of life yesterday held a sit-in on Chapainawabganj-Rajshahi highway at Shah Neyamotullah College intersection demanding installation of pipeline for gas supply to the district. The vehicular movement was halted for an hour on the highway causing sufferings to the inter-district passengers. Leaders and workers of different political parties, professional bodies, trade organisations and students took part in the programme arranged by Nagorik Odhikar Adai Committee. The sit-in was followed by a rally. Mahfuzur Rahman Benju, president of Nagorik Odhikar Adai Committee, its vice president Mostafizur Rahman Mukul, general secretary Toriqul Islam Siddiqui, former UP chairman of Islampur Mokhlesur Rahman, president of district contractors association Khairul Islam spoke at the rally. The speakers at the rally said, natural gas supply from Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj could be possible by constructing only 44- kilometre pipeline. Gas supply will help set up industries. Sonamasjid land port in the district plays an important role in country's economy. If gas supply is ensured, business community will show interest in setting up more industries, they said. The speakers urged the government to take steps for gas link without further delay. They also demanded proper maintenance of Chapainawabganj-Rajshahi rail route, which has been in deplorable condition for long. The railway authorities cancelled tender for construction work several times. Terming it a conspiracy against the people of Chapainawabganj, they urged the government to immediately introduce inter-city train between Chapainawabganj and Dhaka. The committee also urged the government to immediately start construction of second Mohananda Bridge and expand the BSIC (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) area to set up more industries. After about an hour of the programme, the deputy commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP) of Chapainawabganj came to the venue and talked to the agitating people. They said they will do their best to place the issue at the Prime Minister's office.