Leaders of various organisations from the Barishal division formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club on Saturday morning, demanding the implementation of eight specific demands, including the construction of a six-lane highway from Bhanga to Kuakata, in the proposed national budget.
The protesters warned of launching a “tough movement,” including highway blockades, if their demands are not addressed by the government.
Presiding over the event, Enayet Karim, president of the Barisal District Association, emphasised that overall national economic progress is impossible without the development of the southern region.
He alleged that although there were earlier assurances to upgrade the Bhanga-Kuakata highway were not implemented.
“If there is no announcement of budget allocation and contracts for the six-lane project this time, the people of the southern region will be forced to take to the streets,” Enayet Karim warned.
The leaders also demanded upgrading Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College into a full-fledged medical university, allocating budget for the construction of the Bhola-Barisal bridge, supplying gas from Bhola to Barisal via pipeline for industrial use, making Payra Port fully operational and establishing an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the region.
They further called for effective river erosion control measures, development of Kuakata as a tourism hub, uninterrupted electricity supply through the stable operation of local power plants, and strengthening of medical services at existing hospitals.
Speaking as the chief guest, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, adviser to the BNP Chairperson, alleged that the southern region has been repeatedly neglected in terms of development.
He said major infrastructure in the region, including Barisal University and the City Corporation, were established during the BNP’s tenure.
He pointed out that while the BNP-led administrations won all 21 seats in the Barisal division in the last election, it is disappointing that no allocation was made for critical projects like the Bhanga-Kuakata six-lane highway.
He called upon elected representatives to forcefully raise these demands in the National Parliament.
Representatives from South Region Forum, Barishal Division Association, district associations of Patuakhali and Barguna, journalist bodies, student and youth organisations, as well as political and socio-professional groups including BNP, Jubo Dal and others, attended the programme.
