May 23, 1972

CONSTRUCTION OF KURMITOLA AIRPORT WILL RESUME IN JUNE

The construction work of the Kurmitola International Airport will resume in June. France will provide technical support for the project. A two-member French team headed by the chief engineer of French civil aviation is currently visiting Bangladesh. They have submitted a survey report to Bangladesh civil aviation authority. The Tk 22-crore project will be completed within four years. The delegation also calls on Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today and inform him about the progress of the project.

UNROD CHIEF PRAISES BANGLADESH'S RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT

Outgoing UNROD (UN Relief Operations in Dacca) Chief Tony Hagen praises the reconstruction effort of the Bangladesh government. He says that the government has successfully completed repair works of several important rail, water and road networks and thus revived transportation across the country. Expressing his confidence in the leadership of Bangabandhu, the UN high official says that Bangabandhu would be able to resolve all the major reconstruction issues within a short period. Referring to the food crisis, he stresses on the importance of increasing import of food from abroad.  

The newly appointed UNROD Chief Victor Umbricht calls on the prime minister today at his official residence.

RIVER TRANSPORT PLAN FOR HAOR REGION

The Inland River Transport Authority is preparing a plan to resolve the transport crisis in the Haor region, namely in Sylhet and Mymensingh during the dry season. Under this plan, the Surma and Kushiara Rivers and their tributaries will be dredged to ensure navigability. The project will cost Tk 8-10 crores. It will also contribute to the development of agriculture in the region.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES AGAINST ABSENT GOVT EMPLOYEES

Show-cause notices are issued against several government employees who were found absent during the prime minister's surprise visit to the secretariat yesterday.

ACUTE SHORTAGE OF MEDICINES AND EQUIPMENT IN CITY HOSPITALS

An acute shortage of medicines and equipment in the city hospitals has plunged the health delivery system into a deep crisis.  Many hospitals run out of even basic medicine such as saline, glucose injection and their medical equipment such as suction and X-ray machines are out of order due to unavailability of tools and parts.

SOURCE: May 24, 1972 issue of Dainik Bangla.