Bangladesh needs to make investment worth $ 4,177 million from its own coffers to upgrade its major highways to match the standard of the multinational Asian Highway project in next five years.
BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has said, they are not opposing country's link with the Asian Highway but opposing the routes of joining the highway.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications Ministry yesterday stood divided over the burning issue of Asian Highway as a lone opposition BNP lawmaker on the panel gave note of dissent on the committee's recommendation for the government to implement the proposed trans-border road.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday night questioned how Bangladesh security would be ensured if it allows India to use 300-400 kms of road as corridor in the name of Asian Highway. "India has refused on security ground to allow Bangladesh to use its 15-17 kms of road to connect Bangladesh with Nepal through Banglabandh. If that country cannot, how can we do that?" she questioned.
The parliamentary standing committee on communications ministry has suggested joining the much-talked-about Asian High Way through the Benapol-Dhaka-Sylhet or Banglabandha-Dhaka-Sylhet route.
Former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia said her party was focusing on Tipaimukh dam, the Asian Highway and demarcation of maritime boundary as priority issues in order to protect national interests.
Amir of Bangladesh Jamate Islami Moulana Motiur Rahman Nijami yesterday emphasised on the need for forging national unity and consensus against the construction of Tipaimukh dam by India and the decision to the government to give corridor to India in the name of Asian Highway to protect the freedom and sovereignty of the country.
