Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told parliament that people are yet to become conscious even after the recent vigorous students’ movement for road safety.
“Such a big accident occurred, such a movement was waged. Even after this awareness is yet to be created among the commuters. They are crossing the roads indiscriminately without following traffic rules,” PM Hasina said in reply to lawmakers’ queries.
The premier said there is a peculiar mindset among the country’s people as they start crossing the road just raising hands before speedy vehicles, though it’s not possible to stop a speedy bus abruptly all the time.
Coming down heavily on the jaywalkers, Hasina said the parents along with their minor children cross the roads before many speedy vehicles.
Though the foot-over bridge or underpass is in a nearby place, parents even youth pedestrians don’t want to use these. They cross the roads running before speedy buses, causing accident.
PM also said the pedestrian don’t want to wait even for a minute before crossing the road or use foot-over bridge or underpass.
She added: It needs to be considered how much fault is on the part of the pedestrian and that of the driver in case of such a road accident.
The prime minister said if any accident takes place, the people become eager to beat the driver not helping the victims. To save his life by escaping mob beating, the drivers left the place speedily running over the injured in many cases, she added.
“If the people stop beating driver in case of an accident, the number of accidents would come down to fifty percent,” she said adding that none should take the laws in hand rather the driver should be handed over to the police.
“I think all should abide by the traffic rules on the roads,” said Sheikh Hasina.
She mentioned that the government has taken various measures to ensure road safety, including marking Zebra-crossing, the presence of traffic police and volunteers in front of schools and construction of underpass and foot-over bridges.
Sheikh Hasina said a high powered team of PMO has already monitored the road traffic management from Abdullahpur to Hanif Flyover which has identified the priorities of the road safety. A monitoring cell has been formed to oversee the execution of the directive given in this regard, she said.
PM also said the road safety bill will be placed in the current session of parliament and will be considered for passage keeping the provision of the highest penalty considering the gravity of the crime.
Pointing to the capital’s traffic jam, PM said it’s a common problem in all big cities in the world.
She said her government is making constant stride to resolve the problem.
The communication system in Dhaka would be improved to a large extent while metro train project would be implemented and the overall traffic management system would be improved step by step, she said.
The prime minister said the government has a plan to construct elevated expressway around Dhaka City and commuter services with the surrounding districts.
Commission to identify other conspirators of Bangabandhu murder
In reply to another query, PM said the government is actively considering the formation of a commission to identify other conspirators behind the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The matter of formation of a commission to identify other masterminds of the assassination of the Father of the Nation is now under government’s active consideration,” she said in a scripted answer.
The prime minister said many information regarding the conspiracy behind the killing of the Father of the Nation got exposed during the two consecutive terms of the Awami League government.
“According to the information, some people and organisations from both home and abroad had indirectly been involved in the conspiracy,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said efforts are on to bring the killers of the Father of Nation, who are now hiding abroad, back home.
EC can hold polls independently
In reply to a query, PM informed the House that the Election Commission can hold election independently as per the country’s constitution.
In a written answer, PM said necessary money has already been allocated as per the requirement of the election commission to hold the 11h parliamentary election in a fair manner. Manpower has been increased to strengthen the Election Commission.
Besides, steps were taken to develop the commission’s infrastructure according to its requirement.
