Govt plans to launch massive post-flood rehabilitation

Seeds and other agricultural inputs will be provided to the farmers while house building loans will be given to those whose houses have been damaged by floods, he added.

Saifur said the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme would be expanded to help the flood-hit people in rural areas.

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He said the government is fully aware of the havoc of current floods that hit greater Sylhet and other regions of the country.

The finance minister was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of the newly built terminal building of Sylhet Railway Station yesterday.

Earlier, he formally inaugurated the new terminal which was completed at a cost of Tk 24 crore.

Saifur said the government has laid emphasis on the development of railway sector as most of the people still depend on railway communication.

He said the government has been implementing a major development programme in the railway sector for last few years.

Under the programme, railway signalling system is being modernised while locomotives and engines are to be procured to make the railway more attractive to the passengers.

Completion of Akhaura Bypass on Dhaka-Sylhet section would reduce the distance between the two cities to a great extent, he added.

The minister also spoke about the new national budget and hoped that it would bring a major change in the life of the people.

Speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda said the railway was in a precarious condition during the past regime.

"But we have brought it on the right track by launching different development programmes," he added.

Huda said an air-conditioned train will be pressed into service on Dhaka-Sylhet route. He also announced that work on a hanging bridge, in place of the existing age-old Keane Bridge over the river Surma, will begin in November.

Huda said after the recession of flood water damaged roads will be repaired.

Communications Secretary Shafiqul Islam also spoke on the occasion.

Moulana Fariduddin Chowdhury MP and M Ilias Ali MP attended the inaugural function chaired by Director General of Railway M Abdullah.

Earlier, the finance minister visited some flood-hit villages at Hatkhola and Jalalabad unions under sadar upazila.