Invest in transport infrastructure

As the Eid holiday draws to a close, the weaknesses of our country’s transport system are exposed for all to see.

Once again, we see the recurring tragedy of people dying unnecessarily in transport accidents, while millions more endure the poor conditions inherent on our roads, rivers and railways.

In the accident involving the Khulna-bound Simanto Express, a train dragged a bus nearly half a kilometre on the tracks, killing at least 11 people, and injuring more than 50 others at a level crossing in Jhenaidah.

And in just two days, at least 20 people were killed with dozens more missing as three boats capsized in separate incidents at Sirajganj, Kushtia and Munshiganj.

We need a total overhaul of the transport system to end this national crisis.

This needs a multi-pronged approach. For a start the government has to tighten up the weak inspection regimes which underlie many riverboat and railway accidents. It is a scandal that Bangladesh Railways estimates that only 15% of the country’s level crossings have gatekeepers.

But we need to go much further by setting our sights much higher.

Bangladesh’s small land area and dense population ought to benefit the economy, but we fail to exploit this natural advantage due to the country’s lack of efficient, safe, transport links.

We must follow the example of countries like China and Malaysia which have invested in modern highways and railways. Improved inter-city links would not only help to reduce deaths,  but would open up many more opportunities for commerce and development across the country.