Govt making efforts to resolve traffic problems

Girdlock in big cities a common concern, PM tells parliament

September 13, 2018 00:00:00

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina termed on Wednesday the traffic congestion a common problem in all big cities, reports BSS.

She said her government is making constant efforts to resolve the problem.

"All major cities across the world have the problem of traffic congestion and they could not come out of the problem overnight. Gradually they have resolved the problem," she said.

The communication system in Dhaka will be improved to a large extent while metro train project will be implemented and the overall traffic management system will be improved step by step, she said.

The PM said this in reply to a question from female member Begum Nur-e- Hasna Lily Chowdhury in Parliament during Prime Minister's question answer session.

The PM said the government has a plan to construct elevated expressway around Dhaka City and commuter services with the surrounding districts.

About the steps taken by the government to reduce road accidents the PM said a four-year National Road Safety Action Plan 2017-2020 is being implemented under which professional drivers are being given short course training.

Saying the many road accidents are caused by negligence of the passerby, the PM stated special campaign programme is taken to make people aware. The drivers are asked not to drive vehicles more than five hours at a stretch.

Expressing her solidarity with the movement of the students for safe road, the PM said Prime Minister Office (PMO) is monitoring the activities of all ministries concerned and divisions.

Sheikh Hasina said a high- powered team of PMO has already monitored the road traffic management from Abdullahpur to Hanif Flyover which has identified the priorities of the road safety. A monitoring cell has been formed to oversee the execution of the directive given in this regard, she said.

Replying to a supplementary question from Jatiya Party member Sibly Sadik the PM said the government has a plan for development of Saydpur Airport to make it useful for neighbouring counties as a regional airport.