1072km deadly risky roads

Tk 4,315.56 crintegrated safe roads project coming to set up device and drivers’ training

Mahfuz Emran: A total of 1,072 km of roads have been identified as ‘extremely risky’ in the country, out ofthe total 21,595.49 kilometers roads.
Of the roads, national highways are 3,908 km and regional highways are 4,482.54 kilometers and 13,206.923 kilometers of district roads. Technology is being installed on these roads to prevent accidents. Drivers will not be able to cross it by causing any accident. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing financial and technical assistance to this initiative.
The main objective of the project is to secure five thousand kilometers of roads initially.
According to the ADB, the amount of direct and indirect financial loss due to road accidents in Bangladesh is 2 to 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). To reduce road accidents, the Bangladesh Road Safety Project is being undertaken by the Department of Roads and Highways (RHD), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Highway Police and Health Department (DGHS).
The government will implement a pilot project to create integrated safe roads. To this end, projects worth Tk 4,315.56 crore will be implemented with the loan assistance of the World Bank. The World Bank loan for the project is Tk 3,093 crore. The rest of the money will come from the public sector. The project proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission for implementation in the current period from December 2028.
Of the 1,072 km of highways identified as high-risk, 1,382 km are national and 300 km are regional highways. Under the project, 60 km road from Joydebpur to Elenga and 60 km road from Natore to Chapainawabganj are being set up with automatic number plate identification devices. No driver will be able to cross due to this accident.
According to RHD, 5,000 kilometers of highways will be secured to improve road safety on a priority basis under the project. Based on the information, road safety system will be developed through small and medium scale construction work in different inter sections considering priority. A national data system will be set up for use by other agencies, including the traffic police. CCTV will be installed on 140 km highway from Joydebpur to Elenga and from Natore to Chapainawabganj.
Integrated Traffic Management and Incident Detection System will be set up. If someone drives recklessly and causes an accident, they will be caught automatically. Besides, necessary equipment including setting up of Highway Police Training Center at Shibchar in Madaripur will be provided to improve the efficiency of Highway Police under the project. Trauma registry system will be introduced in three hospitals (Tangail General Hospital, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and Mugda General Hospital).
Information systems related to motor vehicle registration, driving licensing and payment of fees will be integrated under Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTA). Therefore, training of drivers in various workshops including counseling services and promotion and awareness raising on road safety are also activities under this project.
Additional Chief Engineer (Technical Service) in the context of automatic number plate identification device Md. Abdullah Al Mamun told that any technology comes to our country after coming to America. But our country does not use these technologies. With the installation of this technology, number plate pictures will be taken automatically. As a result, no driver will be able to pass the accident. The location of the vehicle can also be identified. The reader will be caught like a GPS system.
According to the RSA, serious injuries and deaths due to road accidents are one of the major public health crises in Bangladesh. According to the World Health Organization, more than 15 people per million die in road accidents, more than three times as many as in developed countries. The financial loss from direct and indirect road accidents in Bangladesh is about 2 to 3 percent of GDP. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reduce the number of deaths and injuries in road accidents worldwide.
The goal is to ensure access to safe, affordable, affordable and sustainable transportation for all by 2030.
This is a first phase project under the Road Safety Program proposed by the World Bank. The activities of the project are divided into three parts.
Safety work to prevent accidents
Under the project, road safety related activities will be implemented in the form of pilot on the roads of national, district and urban areas with the help of many organizations. Notable among these are the implementation of road safety activities on an experimental basis on 60 km road from Joydebpur to Elenga and 60 km from Natore to Chapainawabganj.
As part of this, development of various intersection development, small and medium scale construction works, widening of roads, determination of parking area, development of various traffic sign signals including road marking. There will be automated traffic management, free ambulance with immediate care for accident victims.
Number plate identification and CCTV
Under the project, CCTV and number plate identification machines will be installed on the roads. Five thousand kilometers of highways will be secured with the aim of improving road safety on priority basis. Automatic number plate identification technology will be installed in 140 km section of the national highway.
Increase skills through training
Skills will be enhanced by providing technical assistance. These include capacity building through training of stakeholders, preparation of National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) blueprints, establishment of road safety audit accreditation system.