Dhaka: Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday strongly criticised conversion of private transport into CNG-run vehicles, which encourages people to buy private cars, resulting in vexing traffic congestion in the capital city.

 “There is no CNG-run private transport across the world. Introducing CNG in private transport here has a historical reason,” he told a pre-budget meeting at the NEC conference room in the capital.   

Muhith said that to cut traffic congestion in the city, metro rail should be considered in introducing mass transport.

Identifying private cars the chief reason behind traffic congestion, he said it is time to consider how the import of private cars could be restricted to reduce traffic jam in the country. 

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry AKM Rahmatullah said that converting private transport into CNG-run vehicles is contributing to allow more vehicles in the city and help increase traffic jam.

 “Car import will rise if the duty on car import is not increased,” he said. 

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries Ministry Tofail Ahmed, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education Ministry Rashed Khan Menon, and chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Expatriates Welfare Ministry Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud also spoke in the meeting.

Ends/AMA/03/04/13