Satellite mapping needed to fight road construction corruption

Road improvements lead to multifaceted benefits in the form of reduced travelling time, improved traffic safety and reduced emissions in any country. When transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that result in positive multiplying effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment and additional investments. Constructing and widening existing and new roads with laying bituminous carpet is really important to solving traffic movement problem in rapidly developing countries like Bangladesh.
So the present government of Bangladesh prioritised developing road infrastructures through widening lane of major highways to solve traffic gridlocks. Part of the Dhaka-Tangail highway expansion is waiting to start full speed construction work after acquirement of lands. It is good news that during the land acquisition, the government has been providing all kinds of compensation under the law. As the government is paying good amount as compensation, many unscrupulous and greedy people have been trying to maladministration the opportunity. It is observed that at many places alongside Dhaka -Tangail road, temporary mega size tent constructions have suddenly started while some more are still under construction.  Showing newly built mega size shelter, dishonest persons are trying to get huge compensation money from the government. Although the newly built pavilion does not have any window and door, it may be difficult and challenging to authenticate which building was on the ground since long. Appropriate tools are required to identify those buildings. In this connection remote sensing and geographical information systems are the best tools for mapping and monitoring.
Digital maps of Bangladesh are proving invaluable in the fight against sleaze in a country branded as one of the most corrupt in the world. For avoiding unwanted compensation corruption, use of satellite images would be the best option. High resolution satellite images could be considered baseline information. Satellite image can demonstrate what the previous situation in the ground was. The road construction authority may buy GeoEye, WorldView and QuickBird etc images for the month of March 2014. If there are any houses constructed after the March 2014, it will be easily noticeable.  In this way satellite mapping may fight road construction corruption.
Kabir Uddin writes from village: Pirojpur, Madhupur, Tangail kabir.uddin.bd@gmail.com