1,752km of highways to be upgraded to four-lane: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Oabidul Quader on Thursday said 1752 kilometers of highways across the country would be upgraded to four lanes and 144 curves on highways expanded to avert road accidents.
"The government will take all measures to prevent road accidents. As like as the Banpara-Hatikumrul highways, other highways will be upgraded to four lanes in phases. Work is going on to specify 144 accident-prone curves on highways to expand those. This work will be completed by next December," he said.
The minister said while speaking to reporters after distributing leaflets on road safety among the drivers of vehicles and passengers at Tokia on Natore-Rajshahi highway.
As part of the "mass awareness-raising campaign to ensure safe highway and reduce road accident", the minister came to Natore on the way to Rajshahi.
Quader said the highways of Chandra, the gateway to north Bengal, has been made three times wider than earlier. By-lane is being constructed there beside the highway, he added.
The minister said: "Works for expansion of four curves on south side of Bangabandhu Bridge and construction of dividers are going on."
Terming as risky the movements of three-wheelers and auto-rickshaws on highways; Quader added: "It is hardly wise to look for livelihoods putting life on risks. To save the drivers of such vehicles and passengers, movement of three-wheeler and auto-rickshaw has been banned ignoring many barriers.”
-SS