Ensure law and order, prepare for credible election: Adviser Wahiduddin tells govt officials

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud today (28 June) urged government officials to prepare for conducting a credible national election by ensuring law and order.

"Our primary task is to hold a good election and maintain law and order. The reforms currently being implemented in ministries are valuable, but they are by-products of the opportunity and time we have. The real focus now should be on preparing for the election," he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting at the Chattogram Circuit House this afternoon.

Wahiduddin acknowledged the limited tenure of the interim government, noting, "We are here only for a short time. But we have tried to initiate some trends. 

"Good governance doesn't come overnight, but we should ensure we don't revert to old practices. We must learn from the past and move forward."

Emphasising the importance of pre-election security, he said, "It is urgent to start seizing illegal weapons. This is essential to maintain law and order. There are politically influential individuals and armed cadres who won't surrender their weapons willingly. Even so, we must recover them. 

"All legal arms should also be deposited during the election period."

During the meeting, the adviser described the Karnaphuli River tunnel — Bangladesh's first underwater tunnel — as a "showpiece", stating that such infrastructure needs practical utility, not just symbolic value. "People won't keep coming just to see the tunnel. It's not a spectacle," he added.

Superintending Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, Jahed Hossain, proposed widening an alternative road to increase traffic through the tunnel, noting that current usage is low.

In response, Wahiduddin bluntly described the tunnel as a "white elephant project", saying, "Why consider the impact only after building it? Planning should have come first. The tunnel is now operating at a loss. Additionally, five-star and seven-star resorts have been built on the Anwara end, with massive investments made. These also require high maintenance costs — but who will come to such remote places for leisure?"

He added that there are plans to hand over these resorts to the private sector. 

"Even though no one is interested right now, these must be handed over. Even if they don't generate profit, at least private entities can maintain and take care of them," he said.

The meeting, organised by the divisional and district administration of Chattogram, was also addressed by Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain. Senior officials from various government agencies and institutions in Chattogram attended the event.