New Ministers Appointed to Oversee Vital Transport Sectors

In a strategic move to bolster the nation’s infrastructure and logistical capabilities, the Government of Bangladesh has officially allocated ministerial portfolios to two newly appointed Ministers of State. The official directives, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, were formalised on Tuesday, 24 February, and made public on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

According to the official order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Ajit Deb, these appointments are an extension of the presidential decree first announced on 17 February. The reshuffle is seen by political analysts as an attempt to streamline the management of the country’s multi-modal transport networks, which have recently faced calls for heightened efficiency and modernisation.

Portfolio Allocations

The distribution of responsibilities highlights a dual-management approach to the nation’s primary transport corridors. Habibুর Rashid has been entrusted with the highly significant Road Transport and Highways Division, alongside the Ministry of Railways. Given the ongoing expansion of the national rail network and the critical need for road safety reforms, Rashid’s role is expected to be pivotal in the government’s infrastructure agenda.

Meanwhile, Md. Rajib Ahsan has been tasked with overseeing the Ministry of Shipping and the Bridges Division. His portfolio is particularly crucial given the country’s reliance on riverine trade and the management of major bridge projects that link the capital with the southern and northern districts.

Summary of Ministerial Responsibilities

The following table outlines the specific divisions and ministries assigned to the newly inducted Ministers of State:

Strategic Implications

The decision to pair Road Transport with Railways under one minister, and Shipping with Bridges under another, suggests a desire for better inter-departmental synergy. The Bridges Division and the Shipping Ministry, for instance, often overlap in the construction of river-crossing infrastructure, whereas Road and Rail represent the two pillars of land-based transit.

Following the issuance of the office order, the Cabinet Division has requested all relevant departments to take the necessary administrative steps to facilitate the transition of these new ministers into their respective offices. With these appointments, the government aims to accelerate the completion of “Mega Projects” and address the logistical bottlenecks that have historically hampered regional trade.

The public eye now turns to the first hundred days of these two ministers as they navigate the complexities of their high-profile departments.