Parliament passes Highways Bill 2021 to ensure better management, construction of highways
File photo of the Bangladesh Parliament complex in Dhaka Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
UNB
Publish : 27 Nov 2021, 06:44 PMUpdate : 27 Nov 2021, 06:44 PM
The Highways Bill, 2021 was passed in Parliament on Saturday, aiming to have a full-fledged law replacing the century-old one.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The Highways Act, 1925, has only five clauses, which are inadequate to deal with maintenance, management and construction of highways.
The provisions of punishment have also been kept in the case of violation of the proposed law. The punishment will be a maximum of two years’ jail or a Tk5,000-Tk5 lakh fine.
As per the bill, the government will decide which vehicles will run on which roads or highways, which will be declared as expressways along with highways, how these will be operated and from which roads toll will be collected.
It also added the government or any individual given responsibility by the government will develop the highways, repair or maintain those, highways related sewerage systems and construct drains, culverts and bridges.
The bill also said after paying the fixed charges of the government, semi-government and private service providers can set up their utility connections.
On the highways, there will be no scope to keep crops or something others for drying up those, it added.
The bill further stated that without taking prior permission no billboard, signboard, the gate will be set up on the highways.
Slow speed vehicles have to use the specific lanes, it said, adding that steps will be taken to set up specific and safe places for people with disabilities, children and elderly persons.
Parliament passes Highways Bill 2021 to ensure better management, construction of highways
The Highways Bill, 2021 was passed in Parliament on Saturday, aiming to have a full-fledged law replacing the century-old one.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The Highways Act, 1925, has only five clauses, which are inadequate to deal with maintenance, management and construction of highways.
The provisions of punishment have also been kept in the case of violation of the proposed law. The punishment will be a maximum of two years’ jail or a Tk5,000-Tk5 lakh fine.
As per the bill, the government will decide which vehicles will run on which roads or highways, which will be declared as expressways along with highways, how these will be operated and from which roads toll will be collected.
It also added the government or any individual given responsibility by the government will develop the highways, repair or maintain those, highways related sewerage systems and construct drains, culverts and bridges.
The bill also said after paying the fixed charges of the government, semi-government and private service providers can set up their utility connections.
On the highways, there will be no scope to keep crops or something others for drying up those, it added.
The bill further stated that without taking prior permission no billboard, signboard, the gate will be set up on the highways.
Slow speed vehicles have to use the specific lanes, it said, adding that steps will be taken to set up specific and safe places for people with disabilities, children and elderly persons.