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Balanced allocation for road, rail, water transportation suggested



 

Experts at a policy dialogue on "Transport and Infrastructure" suggested adequate transport infrastructure and services for a sustainable economic and social development.

They identified traffic congestion, high level of air pollution in the cities, poor traffic safety measures, presence of non-motorised transport on major roads, delay in handling cargo in the ports, inadequate telecommunications services, unplanned urbanisation, inefficiency in the management, lack of enforcement of laws and regulations as the setbacks to economic and social progress.

Problems in the transport sector will not be resolved unless an integrated policy is formulated and coordination among the agencies concerned ensured, they said.

They also emphasised balanced allocation for road, rail and water transportation to ensure equality in all the sectors and develop an effective infrastructure system.

Development activists, academics, members of the civil society and government officials came up with the suggestions at a discussion on the policy brief of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Task Force report on "Transport and Infrastructure." The CPD, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo co-organised the programme at the Planning and Development Academy auditorium yesterday afternoon.

Waliul Islam, Team Leader, Program Coordination Cell, HPSP Project, presided over the session while Munjurul Ahsan Khan of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Jamilur Reza Chowdhury of BRAC University spoke on the topic as Special Guests. Dr M Rahmatullah presented the Task Force report.

The participants said that Bangladesh could be the transport hub of South Asia due to its geographical location and can earn more foreign exchange through launching transport service to Nepal, Bhutan and North-East India.

They said Bangladesh should try to provide transport services to the sub-region as a "trade in services" and that is why, the future development strategies should include a regional role for the national transport system.

The speakers also felt the necessity of promoting private sector involvement in the transport development and management system. The government should create a favorable operating environment for the private sector, they observed.

Taking part in the discussion, CPB leader Munjurul Ahsan Khan suggested pragmatic and drastic measures to end the existing problems in the transport sector. Stressing on water transport, he called for a proper and an integrated policy for the sector, which is very profitable.

Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Azizul Huq Bhuiyan said there should be a separate traffic police service to improve transport system and reduce road accident. "Unless you improve the driving system, you cannot improve traffic system."

Abdul Malek, Director General, Department of Shipping, emphasised continuation of the policies. "Whatever policy is taken, it needs continuation." He regretted that many policies could not be implemented as they were not continued.

Dr M Rahmatullah, Director, Transport Programme of the CPD, in his Task Force report said the purpose of this policy brief is to enhance awareness among the politicians and members of the civil society about the need for a vision and for supporting coherent transport policies.

He felt the necessity of an integrated, efficient and affordable multimodal transport system, which would be sustainable from social, economic and environmental point of view. He said the government needs to take immediate action to formulate and adopt a vision together with clearly spelled transport policies.

To halt the deteriorating urban transport situation, he said Bangladesh needs to adopt comprehensive urban transport policies, which are fully integrated with the area development plans.

To reduce the level of air pollution contributed by the transport sector, Dr Rahmatullah suggested replacement of two-stroke engines by the four-stroke ones and use of compressed natural gas by all types of vehicles.

Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury suggested introduction of metro rail and circular navigation road for Dhaka city to reduce traffic congestion and other problems.

Turning to the problem of fake licenses of motor vehicles, he said 90 per cent of the licenses in the capital are fake, and the government should act to stop issuance of fake licenses.

About traffic signal, he said Bangladesh is the only country in the world where traffic signal is not followed. "Traffic police try to control traffic not by using the signal but by their hands."

CG Karim, Additional Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), M Abdul Huq, Chairman of BIWTA, M Shahidul Hasan, Chief Engineer of LGED, Brig. Gen. Mahmud, Chief Engineer of Dhaka City Corporation, among others, participated in the discussion.