Apart from getting foreign aids and receiving government grant, the body will introduce a fuel levy, increase road taxes for heavy vehicles and bridge tolls and collect international transit charges to maintain the country's road network, said a foreign consultant on the road fund plan, Dr Sion Hawarth.

Imposition of fresh taxes on fuel oil will directly affect fuel users, the speakers said, adding that the government should check corruption in construction of roads and ensure proper use of roads.

Sadrul Islam, general secretary of Truck Owners Association, said introduction of oil levy will not help the authority. Rather the government should stop plying of over loaded vehicles on the roads, he added.

The Ministry of Commnications and Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) jointly organised the meeting at the RCCI auditorium to seek opinions of stakeholders of road network on the government decision to establish the board to address road maintenance needs.

Presided over by Dr Rahma-ullah, a programme director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, the meeting was attended by RCCI President Lutfar Rahman as the chief guest.

Among others, Road Fund Steering Committee Chairman Khwaza Golam Ahmed, also a joint secretary of the communications ministry, and RCCI Member Khondoker Mainul Islam spoke.

Elaborating the plan, Dr Sion Hawarth said Tk 1483 crore is needed annually for maintaining a total of 2, 30,165 km of roads while the shortfall in 2003-04 was Tk 806 crore, he said.