National Road Safety Day today

The National Road Safety Day is being observed in a befitting manner in the country today (Thursday).

This year’s theme of the day is ‘Mujib Borsher Swapath, Sarak Karbo Nirapad”.

The Road Transport and Bridges Ministry has drawn up various programmes including souvenir publication, discussion and road safety campaign.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday issued separate messages on the eve of the National Road Safety Day.

The President, in his message, said there is no alternative to advanced transport facilities for sustainable economic and social development.

He said it is urgent to ensure road safety along with developing the country’s road infrastructures in the country. As the government is committed to reducing road accidents and financial losses, the government has taken various measures to prevent road accidents, he added.

The President said steps have been taken to upgrade the national highways to four-lane and construct expressways, mass rapid transit and bus rapid transit.

He said that multifaceted initiatives and programmes, including upgrading other highways to four or more than four lanes, construction of flyovers and overpasses, making traffic signs and road markings, construction of restrooms beside highways, imparting training to drivers, have been taken.

He urged all concerned including voluntary organizations, private establishments, teachers and guardians to extend cooperation to the government in taking forward the road safety activities for the sake of the country’s development and progress.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said after the independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had built a proper transportation system within a short time by repairing and reconstructing the war-ravaged roads across the country.

The premier said the government is putting emphasis on strengthening road safety side by side with making massive development of the country’s road transport system.

Following the footsteps of Bangabandhu, the Awami League government has been implementing massive programmes to build a developed road communication infrastructure in the country, she said, adding that the present government has extended the network of highways to 21,302,08 kilometers, upgraded 453,07 kilometers of national highways to four-lane, constructed or reconstructed 1209 bridges, 5581 culverts, 18 flyovers/overpasses and 27 underpasses.

The Prime Minister has urged all, including transport owners, workers, passengers and pedestrians to work from their respective position along with the government to prevent road accidents.

The President and the Prime Minister wished success of all programmes of the day.