Improved public transport system reflects development
Dr Matiur Rahman :
The importance of the public transport system in the country’s development is immense. The country’s public transport system has significantly changed in recent decades. Changes in rural transport systems are particularly noticeable. As most of the unpaved roads in the villages across the country have been paved, various vehicles have started running on these roads.
Among these are shallow engine run Nasimon, Karimon, motorized rickshaws, vans, auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, CNG, cars, minibuses, buses, trucks, etc. From rural to urban areas now, the movement of this vehicle can be observed. Many arguments and opinions exist for and against these vehicles running in towns and villages.
Many argue in favour of those transports because a large rural and urban population move from one place to another using those. For example, transporting goods to the market, going to the hospital or medical centre when someone gets sick, going to work, visiting relatives’ houses, students going to and from school, helping people with disabilities and low-income people to move around quickly, etc. Many people think that some of these vehicles are environmentally friendly. Moreover, because of these transports, many people have been employed. As a result, those are playing a role in the country’s overall development, like mainstream transportation.
Many argue against these, that recharging their batteries consumes a lot of electricity. Many recharge by connecting electricity illegally. This results in power shortages in other sectors and deprives the government of revenue. Many people think the risk of environmental damage and road accidents increases due to those transport.
These vehicles often disobey rules and regulations and cause traffic jams. As a result, the suffering of ordinary people is also growing. Due to this, traffic jams are created in places where there should not be traffic jams. Accidents happen in many cases. Many are injured and crippled. Even if there is a ban on their movement, especially on the highway, many die due to disobeying it. Most of the drivers of these vehicles are not trained. As a result, they are ignorant of traffic rules, and due to their disobedience, they get into accidents and cause accidents with other vehicles.
But no matter how many arguments there are for or against, those motorized vehicles are not sustainable in a country like ours. There has indeed been a lot of development in the rural road system in the country in the last decade. Along with that, various types of transportation have appeared. Many people have been employed in these transports. There is no denying the contribution of these transports to the national economy.
However, due to these transports, a chaotic environment has been created on the roads. Anyone from a developed country is amazed to see the variety of vehicles running on the same highway simultaneously in our country. Various vehicles, including buses, trucks, Lorries, minibuses, microbuses, cars, covered vans, ambulances, CNG, auto-rickshaws, shallow engine run three-wheelers, motorcycles, Nasimon, and Karimon play on the same road at the same time. People and goods, rods, cement, sand, cattle trucks, buses, and microbuses also run simultaneously. They are less on village roads but more in urban areas. Therefore, the time has come to urgently pay attention to this issue to restore the order of roads and highways.
We know that most of the roads in our country are made of low-quality materials. Defects on the road are due to the profit-seeking mentality of the contracting firms and the ferocity of various levels of unscrupulous beneficiaries in the respective fields. As a result, these roads become unusable within two to three years. It is more applicable in rural road construction. These vehicles plying on broken roads increase the risk of accidents and public suffering. Therefore, many experts believe it is necessary to take adequate measures for sustainable road construction at different levels of intermediaries.
Government should take a proper decision now regarding various forms of public transport. Expert advice can be sought in this regard. Alternative transport systems need to be developed keeping in mind those who work, earn a living and invest in this transport sector. Its drivers must be trained adequately if such transport is to be operated. There is a need to establish a regulatory authority to regulate this vehicle’s import, manufacture, marketing, licensing and movement.
Improved transport and communication system is essential for the development of the socioeconomic condition of any country. Improved transport and communication systems are prerequisites for social progress and economic development. Improved transport communication systems are inextricably linked. Also, advanced transport systems bear the hallmarks of civilization.
Therefore, it is essential to start planning and working on suitable transport systems. Although many successes have been achieved in the country’s road communication and transport system, more initiatives must be taken to restore order in this sector. The time has come to pay special attention to developing the public transport system. The authorities are expected to take effective initiatives in this regard with the help of experts.
(The writer is a researcher and development worker).
