Govt plans major transport overhaul, boosts safety measures

Road Transport, Bridges and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has said the government is moving ahead with the implementation of key infrastructure commitments outlined in its election manifesto, including the construction of a second Jamuna Bridge. 
He made the remarks during Monday’s question-and-answer session in parliament at the seventh sitting of the budget session.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, the minister outlined developments across the country’s transport sector.
On the proposed second Jamuna Bridge, he said the master plan of the Bangladesh Bridges Authority has recommended its implementation by 2033. The project is intended to ease severe traffic congestion on the existing bridge and strengthen industrial connectivity between the northern region and the rest of the country.
He said preparations are underway to appoint a consultant to conduct the feasibility study of the project. Contract negotiations with the selected consulting firm have been completed, and signing is expected soon.
The study will examine three possible alignments across the River Jamuna, including a corridor connecting Sariakandi upazila in Bogura with Madarganj upazila in Jamalpur, and another linking Balashi Ghat in Gaibandha with Dewanganj Ghat in Jamalpur.
On road safety, the minister said the government is continuing efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities through a combination of infrastructure improvements and automated enforcement systems.
He said the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) is using Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technology on highways to detect speeding and other violations, alongside enforcement by BRTA, highway police and local administrations.
Responding to another question, he said the number of registered motorcycles in the country has reached 4,997,090. He added that unregistered motorcycles would be brought under formal registration through proper application and verification by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
He said infrastructure upgrades alone are not sufficient and must be supported by behavioural change among road users. In this regard, the government has launched the Bangladesh Road Safety Project.
On railway infrastructure, the minister said old rail tracks are not being auctioned as they are retained for national infrastructure protection and reuse in ongoing and future projects.
Responding to another query, he said the government is working to improve railway services and passenger safety, particularly for women and children. He added that preparations are underway to procure 260 broad-gauge coaches, while a Development Project Proposal (DPP) for 30 metre-gauge locomotives has been submitted to the Planning Commission.
He also said Bangladesh Railway is establishing information desks at major stations across the country to improve passenger services.