Integrated multimodal transport: Policy goes under review 10 years after approval

The integrated multimodal transport policy is going to be reviewed 10 years after approval as no objectives could be fulfilled despite increased investments in road, rail, air and waterway sectors.

The policy was approved in October 2013 with the incorporation of more than a dozen objectives for proper integration of various transportation systems.

Since the policy formulation, sources said, the authorities concerned have taken multiple schemes, including mega projects, with huge investments.

But those could hardly reflect on the goals of reducing accidents, trade and public transport costs, reaping the benefits of geographical locations, easy availability of different modes of transport and transport land management.

Transport experts said those objectives were important to meet two SDGs (sustainable development goals)-halving road accidents and ensuring road safety.

But they said those could hardly help the country meet the two targets for a distinct lack of integration.

SDG 3.6 refers to halving the number of road accidents while SGD 11.2 refers to ensuring safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems by 2030.

Although implementers like Bangladesh Railway, Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Bridges Authority, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation, Shipping Corporation, Bangladesh Port Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha have taken numerous projects afterwards, sources said, integration of those with other modes of transport was not focused since planning stages.

Therefore, they said, most of the projects have to face major changes in designs at implementation stages delaying completion as well as increasing costs.

However, officials said as many agencies have been involved in transportation of goods and passengers, almost all have their respective multimodal policies.

But those are not integrated through a common mechanism.

According to the officials, the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD), which owns the first such policy, has tried to revise to oversee all situations for a better policy.

Although the RTHD formed the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) under an Act in 2012 to coordinate all transport-related projects, it has been found only recently that many agencies did not follow the related act.

Sources said the Planning Commission was also reluctant to seek the DTCA's go-ahead before approving any transport-related project.

For lacking in the planning stage, projects like Dhaka Elevated Expressway and Mass Rapid Transit line-01 had to integrate with third terminal development project of the CAAB later on.

The BBA has also been trying to integrate Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway with the terminal project when it has already been completed.

For these reasons, a move has been made to review the policy to make it more applicable, said an official who sought anonymity.

Police records show more than 1,600 people were killed in 3,346 road accidents in 1995, but the number increased to 2,646 deaths in 2,827 accidents after 15 years.

The number of deaths was 3,918 in 4,198 accidents in 2020, the year that witnessed so many restrictions on traffic due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The data available with the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh shows the fatality rate is more than 27 percent in 2021 and 2022.