Stakeholders Emphasize Collaborative Efforts in Key Road Safety Roundtable.
In a significant effort to address the growing concerns of road accidents and enhance road safety measures, stakeholders highlighted the necessity for coordinated efforts among relevant organizations. The call for increased awareness among pedestrians and drivers was made during a roundtable discussion held on November 27, 2023, at the Dainik Purbokone Center in Chattogram, organized in observance of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The event, titled ‘Safer Roads, Safer Chattogram,’ was organized by Chattogram City Corporation in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and Vital Strategies. The program was supported by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA).
Honorable Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, speaking as the chief guest at the roundtable, stressed the importance of individual responsibility without assigning blame to others. He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts with the Traffic Department of Chattogram City Corporation to improve citywide traffic management. Furthermore, he underscored the significance of seeking guidance from relevant organizations in the construction of new infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Krishna Pada Roy, BPM (Bar), PPM (Bar), emphasized the importance of not only enforcing laws but ensuring their effective implementation. He noted that public awareness is crucial for effective accident prevention, stating that administration or organizations alone cannot succeed without an informed public. He called for a collective commitment to abide by the law and a shift in public mindset.
Presided over by Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chattogram City Corporation, the roundtable discussion witnessed the participation of various key figures, including the Deputy Police Commissioner of CMP Joynul Abedin, ADC (PR) of CMP Spina Rani Pramanik, Deputy Director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital DR. Aung Swi Prue Marma, Assistant Director of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chattogram Touhidul Islam, Secretary-General of Nirapad Sarak Chai (We Demand Safe Roads) Liton Arshad, Chattogram Press Club’s Senior Vice-President Farid Choudhury, Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies Aminul Islam, and families of three deceased police officers in Chattogram Road Accident, among other stakeholders. Special thanks were extended to all participants by Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, Chairman of Dainik Purbokone Limited.
In a welcome note, Mohammad Shaheen-Ul-Islam Chowdhury, Superintending Engineer (Civil) of Chattogram City Corporation, stressed the importance of not only infrastructure development but also effective management for sustained progress in road safety.
The event featured a presentation by Kazi Saifun Nowaz, Surveillance Coordinator of BIGRS Chattogram, and coordination by Labib Tajowan, Deputy Coordinator of BIGRS Chattogram. It is noteworthy that this day is internationally recognized by the United Nations and the World Health Organization and observe on November 19.
As the city strives for improved road safety measures, the discussions concluded with a collective call for sustained efforts and a change in the public mindset to reduce road accidents in Chattogram.
