‘Everything is very good’

Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam says he does not view the difficulties facing his ministries as challenges, insisting that “everything is very good” and describing challenges as a matter of management.

Rabiul Alam currently oversees three key ministries responsible for the country's transport and communication network. Since taking office, he has drawn attention for simultaneously handling the three portfolios and for his public remarks, while also facing criticism from various quarters.

Despite the scrutiny, the minister says he remains focused on work. He highlighted his efforts to strengthen coordination among different agencies during the recent Eid travel period, which he described as a key factor behind its successful management.

Speaking to Kaler Kantho at his Secretariat office on Wednesday afternoon, the minister said his priority is implementing the government's 180-day programme and advancing the projects and initiatives under his ministries.

Asked about the progress of the government's 180-day action plan, of which around 100 days have passed, he declined to provide details, saying the government would address the matter centrally.

“I do not want to comment on the 180-day programme at this moment. The government will do that centrally. We have submitted the progress of our ministries to the Prime Minister’s Office. I do not want to make isolated comments,” he said.

He added that the ministries have been working to achieve their targets and noted that the programme is only halfway through its implementation period.

When asked about obstacles and challenges encountered so far, the minister replied: “There are no challenges. Everything is very good. Every task comes with challenges, and managing those challenges is what management is all about.”

Responding to speculation about a possible cabinet reshuffle or the removal of some ministers, Sheikh Robiul Alam dismissed such discussions, saying claims circulating in the market should not be treated as facts without proper verification.

He stressed that any official information on such matters would come from the Prime Minister’s spokesperson.