Country’s maiden road safety project of Tk5,000cr kicks off
The government and the World Bank launched a project on Wednesday to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and injuries from road crashes in selected cities, high-risk highways and district roads.
The Road Safety Project, the first of its kind, receives $358 million in financing from the World Bank.
In two national highways, Gazipur-Elenga and Natore to Nawabganj, the project will pilot comprehensive road safety measures, including improved engineering designs, signing and marking, pedestrian facilities, speed enforcement, and emergency care.
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These measures will help reduce road traffic deaths by more than 30% on these two highways.
To make the highways and urban roads safer, in five divisions--Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Mymensingh-- the project will install road signs, dividers, footpaths, raised zebra crossings, speed breakers, and bus bays.
Addressing as the chief guest Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader said The Project will support Bangladesh in its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on road safety by 2030.
It is crucial to control as road accidents cause an annual loss of Tk35000 crores in the country, he added.
Mentioning that the World Bank is funding most of the Tk5,000 crore in this project, he also said, the project will help modernise the capacity of the Traffic Police and highway patrol to manage vehicle speed and prevent risky road user behaviour. To control speed, the project will Install CCTV on roads, and construct an electric messaging system. It will make provision for patrol vehicles and crash site cleaning equipment. It will also support the government to strengthen institutions to effectively manage road safety across the country.
Quader also recalled the World Bank could have been involved in the Padma Bridge if it wanted. There was a misunderstanding here. However, the World Bank cannot be blamed alone for this. Some of our country's big-shot were also involved in this.
Criticising the officials concerned who delayed projects, he said our thoughts are far-reaching, but implementation is very slow. Then he asked to complete Road Safety Project as soon as possible without any delay.
The Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Bangladesh Police, and the Directorate General of Health Services of the Government of Bangladesh will work together to implement the project.
World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Abdoulaye Seck said in his remarks, "Road safety affects us all. Road crashes are the fourth leading cause of children's death in Bangladesh and youth are disproportionately affected. Road fatalities and injuries are personal and family tragedies, and they undermine a country's growth and human development. For Bangladesh, improving road safety is a key development priority," said.
"Through this project and other ongoing initiatives, the World Bank is helping Bangladesh make roads safer for its people, he continued.
"Fast access to medical facilities and trauma care is crucial in saving lives from road crashes. The project will pilot Ambulance services, including bike ambulances, with a toll-free number to take road crash victims to the hospital quickly along selected highways and roads. Further, the project will upgrade trauma care facilities in selected district hospitals, and Upazila Health Complexes", added seck.
