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DHAKA, Jan 20, 2025 (BSS) - Power, energy and mineral resources advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said that Sandwip is an isolated island and even after 54 years of independence, there has been no development here.

“The people of Sandwip have been kept hostage within the island. The hardship is travelling to and from the island, which seems like punishment to serious crime,” he said while inspecting the development activities of the Banshbaria Guptachara ferry terminal in Sitakunda on Sunday.

"My home is also Sandwip, I understand this hardship. But hardship is not the main issue. The main issue is development. All development has taken place in Dhaka or big cities. Sandwip has been deprived of development over the years,” he said.

The adviser said the chief advisor of the interim government has instructed the authorities concerned to give due importance to places where development has not reached as per expectation.

He said, "If you want to punish people, you can say, 'go to Sandwip, at least once because to go to Sandwip, men, women and children have to dip into the water up to their waists. They have to board the boat with great difficulty, carrying luggage on their heads. Besides, there are various mismanagements at the terminal".

The advisor also added, "We are currently working on connecting roads on both sides of the ferry. We are committed to complete it by upcoming March."

During the advisor’s inspection, Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam, Sitakunda  Upazila Nirbahi Officer KM Rafiqul Islam and senior officials of BIWTA were present.