Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader’s announcement of actions against ministers, MPs and VIPs driving on the wrong lane has met strong opposition from his Cabinet colleague Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, says a bdnews24.com news published on Friday.
The local government, rural development and co-operatives minister thinks ministers sometimes have to breach the rules and take the wrong lane for security reasons.He took questions from journalists on the issue while inaugurating a part of the Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover on Thursday.
“In my judgement, it’s not done to create traffic congestion. A minister’s security is very important,” he said, suggesting that the issue needs to be looked at from this perspective.
Quader has expressed his frustration on several occasions terming wrong-side driving of important persons one of the main reasons behind traffic jams.
At a programme in Gazipur on Sep 9, he said police had been told to take firm measures against vehicles for wrong-side driving, no matter if they are carrying a minister, MP or VIP.
Responding to Quader’s comments, Khandker Mosharraf said, “It’s a question of perception. I also travel with a flag. I can’t stop taking the wrong-side even if I try hard.”
“Those who do it consider my security as the prime factor. They never think a single car can create traffic congestion by taking the wrong-side,” he added.
In an apparent dig at his colleague, the LGRD minister said, “If someone thinks only one car…it may be a publicity stunt.”
“We have nothing to do here. They (security personnel) think it would be a shame for the entire government were a minister to come under attack.
“But if someone speaks otherwise to get publicity, it is up to him,” he added.
