PM focuses on Dhaka traffic relief, student loans

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday placed strong emphasis on tackling Dhaka’s growing traffic congestion, while also outlining measures to support students seeking higher education abroad.

At a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office, he directed relevant ministries and agencies to take coordinated and modern approaches to ease traffic pressure in the capital.

Stressing the urgency of the issue, the Prime Minister called for long-term, sustainable solutions to improve traffic management and reduce daily suffering for commuters.

Officials discussed the need for better planning, improved coordination among authorities, and the introduction of updated traffic systems to address the persistent gridlock in Dhaka.

In a separate meeting at the Secretariat, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to introduce a loan facility for students planning to pursue higher studies abroad.

State Minister Nurul Hoque Nur said eligible students would be able to access loans of up to Tk10 lakh, mainly to meet bank guarantee or solvency requirements for studying in countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and Germany. To ensure smooth implementation, Probashi Kallyan Bank will be responsible for disbursing the loans under the ministry’s supervision.

Discussions also covered overseas employment prospects, particularly in the Middle East, where Bangladesh continues to maintain a strong labour presence. Despite regional uncertainties, the government remains hopeful about future opportunities, especially in sectors linked to reconstruction.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the importance of language skills, noting that limited proficiency often forces workers into lower-paying jobs.

He also called for accelerating efforts to send 1 lakh workers to Japan under an existing agreement and urged continued diplomatic engagement to expand consular services of European countries in Bangladesh.

The initiatives reflect the government’s focus on addressing immediate urban challenges while expanding opportunities for citizens abroad.