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DHAKA, July 11, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury, MP, today reaffirmed the government's commitment to sustaining the ongoing development momentum in Nandail upazila and municipality, saying efforts are underway to ensure the benefits of development reach every corner of the area.

"The government is determined to transform Nandail into a modern upazila free from terrorism, extortion and drugs. We are working to ensure that the touch of development reaches every part of Nandail," he told a rally in Nandail as the chief guest.

Yasser Khan said that after being elected by the people, his administration adopted a zero-tolerance policy against extortion and terrorism in Nandail.

"Terrorist groups have been eliminated from the area. We are also maintaining a tough stance against drugs, and necessary laws and reforms have already been enacted in parliament to combat the menace," he added.

Highlighting the government's development initiatives, the state minister said extensive infrastructure works are underway in Nandail and the greater Mymensingh region.

He said brick soling has already been completed on 146 roads, grants have been provided to 18 mosques, and renovation work at five madrasas has been finished. Allocation and tender processes are also underway for the construction of new academic buildings at three educational institutions, including Chandipasha Women's College.

He added that development works involving 120 roads and 11 bridges and culverts are being implemented, while Tk 75 lakh has been allocated for the municipality.

Referring to improvements in the health sector, Yasser Khan said approval has been secured to upgrade the 50-bed Nandail Hospital to a 101-bed facility. The process of establishing a new hospital at Char Betagair has also begun to improve healthcare services for local residents.

The state minister said development activities across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have also reached Nandail.

He said the government is working to improve people's lives through Family Cards, Farmer Cards and Health Cards.

The state minister also said the addition of seven megawatts of electricity to the national grid has reduced the severity of load shedding, adding that the government is implementing long-term plans to ensure a sustainable solution to the power situation.

Calling on party leaders and activists to uphold public confidence, he warned that anyone involved in activities that undermine people's trust would face legal action. "Do not lobby on behalf of any criminal," he told party workers.

Mymensingh North District BNP Convener A.K.M. Enayet Ullah Kalam and Joint Convener Motahar Hossain Talukdar attended the rally as special guests. Leaders and activists of Nandail Upazila and Municipal BNP and its associate bodies were also present.

Earlier in the day, the state minister inaugurated a newly constructed academic building at Udang Madhupur Government Primary School in Nandail.

Speaking at the function, he said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is giving the highest priority to education, and the impact of that commitment is now visible in Nandail.

He said quality education requires a conducive learning environment, adding that alongside teacher training, the government has attached importance to improving educational infrastructure.

Later in the evening, Yasser Khan attended the inaugural introductory meeting of the Mymensingh Development Authority.

Addressing the programme, he said Mymensingh should be transformed into a modern and liveable city.

He expressed hope that the Mymensingh Development Authority would be able to develop the city into one even more attractive than Rajshahi within the next five years.

The state minister said the authority also plans to build a modern township on the opposite bank of the Brahmaputra River, which, he hoped, would become one of the country's most beautiful urban areas.

He urged the authority to take effective measures to ease traffic congestion in the city, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has entrusted it with expediting development work in Mymensingh.

Speaking at the programme, Mymensingh City Administrator Rokonuzzaman Rokon said work is progressing to address waterlogging in the city and expressed optimism that traffic congestion could be significantly reduced within the next six months with public cooperation.

Mymensingh Development Authority Chairman Motahar Hossain Talukdar said modifications to the Arch Bridge project would be needed to facilitate better connectivity, adding that the matter has already been placed before the prime minister.

Deputy Commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman called on all stakeholders to extend full cooperation in implementing the authority's development initiatives.

Mymensingh-11 lawmaker Fakhr Uddin Ahmed Bacchu, District and Sessions Judge Zakir Hossain, Director of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital Brigadier Zakir Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Azim Uddin, Additional Superintendent of Police Ashraful Karim, Bangladesh Agricultural University Registrar Helal Ahmed, and officials from LGED, the Public Works Department, the Roads and Highways Department and other government agencies attended the programme.