We cannot afford to allow the nation’s arteries to be constantly clogged
There is no excuse for the miserable state of the country’s roads.
Large amounts of public money are allocated for maintenance, but a combination of delays, incompetent administration and negligent contractors condemns many roads to a constant state of disrepair.
The costs to the public of congestion and inconvenience being exacerbated by potholes and damaged highways are enormous. These increased hugely during the rainy season with disrepair causing roads to be flooded unnecessarily.
Despite occasional government promises to ensure major maintenance is undertaken ahead of busy holiday periods and the rainy season, deadlines are constantly missed and renovations delayed, leaving road users in the lurch.
Funds for routine maintenance of city roads are regularly misspent, with little or no improvements to show for taxpayer funds spent.
The use of sub-standard materials means that even when projects are progressed in a timely manner, roads may soon return to previous states of disrepair because the work was carried out shoddily.
It is particularly egregious that major renovation works are sometimes left uncompleted despite monies being paid to contractors. Less than half the required repair works on the Jirabo-Bishmail and C&D-Ashulia roads have been completed despite payments for fixing the dilapidated roads being made to contractors for over a year.
The government must improve co-ordination and planning to ensure funds for road maintenance and renovations are spent properly and effectively.
We cannot afford to allow the nation’s arteries to be constantly clogged. Repairs must be undertaken to strict deadlines to minimise inconvenience and speed traffic flows.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
