We welcome the government’s announcement that it will upgrade national highways, including the Dhaka-Barisal Highway, into four-lane roads and and connect them with the Padma bridge.
This is an encouraging step forward that should pave the way for much needed improvements in the nation’s transport network.
It is important, however to consider longer term needs for the project. While four lane highways are certainly better than two lane ones, as experience from the Dhaka-Chittagong link amply demonstrates, they are not likely to be sufficient to meet the nation’s needs in the long haul.
There is also safety to consider. We have an unhealthy culture of overtaking other cars no matter how narrow the road. Widening and increasing the number of lanes can help mitigate some of the deaths and dangers caused by such bad habits.
Faster major roads can not only increase trade between our major cities, but open up new opportunities by attracting investors and improving connectivity so Bangladesh takes more advantage of its position at the crossroads of South and South-east Asia.
The government should take the opportunity to make a quantum leap in improving the country’s road system. Authorities must consider more six lane highways for major national routes so the country can benefit from a modern and enduring system that is fit for future needs
Wider roads would not only significantly reduce the number of dead and injured on our highways, it would reduce congestion, attract investors and allow the benefits of development to be more widely spread across the nation.
