Streamlining Highway Traffic
A traffic untangling strategy needs to be holistic, integrated and countrywide rather than being unidirectionally focused on the entry or exit points to and from Dhaka city. It is no doubt important that we have more gateways on the outer rim of the metropolis with by-passes streaking out of the inter-district highway to enter the city at some point but it is crucial as well that everything possible is done structurally to smoothen traffic flows along the highways. Jatrabari, Syedabad, Gabtali or Mohakhali are sardine-packed mainly because of the huge turn-in and turn-about of inter-district traffic, so that if it can be streamlined on the highways the pressure at the city entry or exit points will automatically be lessened.
From that point of view, the Prime Minister's laying of foundation for five four-lane bridges in place of the existing two-lane ones and her assurances that 'alternative roads' will be built close to the highways for local use are welcome pieces of news.
The latter could help clear the crowding and dangerous straying on to the highway that pose hazards not only to the local road users but also to highway traffic. In addition, if we have by-passes taken out of the arterial highways to connect with more of the interior, quite a matrix of marketing network would emerge.
The rural roads are responsibility of the LGRD while the highways are maintained by the Department of Roads and Highways. According to the government plans, as reported, the Communications and the LGRD and Cooperative ministries will jointly construct the parallel roads' to the highways. We suggest that their maintenance be left to a unified authority. It should also be possible to involve private capital, both local and foreign, in road-building projects being dovetailed to the highways.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments