Shawdesh Desk:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call for people and motorists to exercise greater care in the use of the roads, to reduce unnecessary crashes that claim the lives of the nation.

She came up with the urge while inaugurating different development projects under Roads, Transport and Bridges Ministry through video conferencing from Gano Bhaban on Wednesday morning

The PM said, “I am building its. Now, it is up to you to ensure its better maintenance so that it could not be damaged very soon.”

The Prime Minister inaugurated many development works including a 1.2-km long four-lane Bhulta Flyover on Dhaka-Sylhet national highway, Patia bypass on Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar national highway, Bhomra Land Port-Satkhira city bypass road, 13 bridges under Munshiganj road division and 283-metre long PC Guarder Banar bridge on Mymensing-Gafargaon-Tok district highway.

She said unnecessary competitions among vehicles on roads and highways cause accidents. “All have to play their responsible roles…it’s urgently needed to be aware who are using roads…I think that many families can fall in trouble due to road accidents which should aren’t expected.”

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that it will not be wise to hold only drivers responsible for any road accident.

The Prime Minister urged everyone, including the drivers and users of the roads, to be aware while driving vehicles and crossing roads.

Hasina said the government has formulated the Road Safety Act aiming to maintain discipline on roads and highways.

Referring to the law regarding road safety enacted by her government, she said, everyone should follow traffic rules.

The Prime Minister stressed creating awareness about traffic rules and said steps will have to be taken to start awareness in this regard from the school level.

She said everybody should know about the carrying capacity of a particular road. “All have to remain aware about the highest carrying capacity of a particular road…many people do not want to abide by that rule.”

Terming road communications as an important tool for the development of a particular area, the Prime Minister said the government is developing the communications network of the country so that people can communicate from one region to another.

“We’re implementing massive programmes for building the communications network from the district level to union and ward levels, and from capital to district, upazila and union levels,” she said.

Hasina also underscored proper maintenance of various infrastructures of the roads and highways divisions, including bridges.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Qader delivered the welcome address at the function.

Later, the Prime Minister exchanged views with a cross-section of people, including public representatives, government officials, imams, teachers and freedom fighters in Chattogram, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Shatkhira and Mymensingh through the videoconference.

Earlier, Road Transport and Bridges Secretary Nazrul Islam highlighted various key aspects of the projects through a power-point presentation.

Bhulta Flyover has a total length of 1.85 kilometres of which 1.2-km long part falls on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway while a 611-metre long one on Dhaka-Bypass Highway.

Road Transport and Highways Division implemented the project spending Tk 338.82 crore.

Besides, the Patia bypass road was constructed at a cost of Tk 87.70 core, and a 283-metre long Mymensingh-Gafargaon-Tok PC Garder Bridge at a cost of Tk 38.78 crore. Thirteen concrete bridges were constructed under Mushiganj district spending Tk 88.62 crore.