From the Secretary’s Desk:

Any well-planned, neatly laid-out, sustainable modern multi-modal transport and communication infrastructure is undeniably recognized as a key element in determining the status of the overall socio-economic development of a country. Such an infrastructural network largely contributes to balanced distribution and efficient marketing of economic resources putting afloat the price-stability, catering to the ICT facilities and plunging a thrust towards rapid industrialization as well.

Of multiple modes of existing transportation encompassing rail-water-roadways in Bangladesh, road transport by an order of magnitude in carriage of goods and passengers, has apparently been playing the most dominant role. Taking cognizance of need of rapid socio-economic development, a good number of transport infrastructure building projects have been launched by Roads and Highways Department that are currently going underway of implementation.

In view of cost, safety and environmental congeniality, the modest service of Bangladesh Railway (BR) still widely enjoys the preferred option of the travelers. Remaining as such, it has become worthwhile to embark on promoting BR into a sturdy organization–commercially and financially viable and equipped with professional expertise. A decision has therefore been taken so as to bring in substantial changes in its organizational structure and also to augment its autonomy to a better state of affairs, paying due regard to the views of its valued clients and other stakeholders.

BRTA is dedicated to regulatory functions like registration and fitness certification of vehicles under existing relevant laws. If the whole gamut of its functionalities could be brought under coverage of IT based software-driven system, the organizational discipline and functional transparency could be better ensured.

BRTC, the sole State Owned Enterprise (SOE) in road transport sector, needs to be infused with skill, fair sense of discipline and dynamism for its efficient management to play stronger and more strategic role.

Planning and coordination of transport infrastructure facilities and traffic management interventions across greater Dhaka are the core responsibilities of Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB). The Government through DTCB has launched Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for safer and more efficient Transportation System.

The Government has already set out comprehensive ICT policy purporting to project its functional and virtual profile as transparent, readily responsive and Client welfare oriented. Under the framework of the ICT policy, the Roads and Railways Division has also launched their own website few years back. The most pressing needs of the moment are to improve upon our client-focused service and integrate the participation of stakeholders from the grassroots.

The Roads and Railways Division under Ministry of Communication has got all set to frame out a client-oriented website with commitment to its efficient management. Could we harness the potentials of ICT to its best, we can overcome the age old, restrictive and secretive traits of out colonial administrative culture. The recently promulgated Information Ordinance and other pro-people polices provide enough rooms for exploration of ICT resources. We are contemplating to deploy a full time Grievance Manager in order to meet the public questions and queries at large.

We warmly wish to be responded to with positive feed backs and suggestions from the end of our clients, which, we strongly believe, will definitely constitute a better guidance for us to steer up our moves forward in the right way of the desired direction.

Secretary
Raods & Railways Division
Ministry of Communication