Traffic congestion causes over Tk 15,000 crore loss to the economy each year while road accidents result in more than 4,000 fatalities.
Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, the communications adviser, said this yesterday at an international symposium and workshop on 'Sustainable Transport for Developing Countries'.
The symposium is being organised by Civil Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) in association with Loughborough University, UK and Hiroshima University, Japan. The programme is supported by WBB trust and British Council.
The adviser was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day programme held at Buet.
Putting the emphasis on a sustainable transport infrastructure and an effective traffic system, Quader however said achieving this goal is a serious challenge for the country.
The launching of the 20-year-long Strategic Transport Plan (STP) and the Hatirjheel Multipurpose Project are two major achievements of the present government, he said.
Prof Jubair Bin Alam, chairman of the organising committee of the symposium, presented the keynote paper during the inaugural session.
The present problems in the transport system have to be remedied and a system has to be developed with the future needs in mind, Prof Alam said.
Special guest of the programme Prof AMM Safiullah, vice chancellor of Buet, expressed his concern over the country's worsening traffic congestions and the high rate of accidents.
Prof Dr Alamgir Mujibul Haque of Civil Engineering Department at Buet chaired the session.
The system of transport in Bangladesh is a complex one as both motorised and non-motorised vehicles run on the
same streets, he said adding that in-depth researches need to be conducted and long term plans adopted to make the traffic system function effectively.
Prof Mohammad Zakaria, head of Buet's Civil Engineering Department, delivered the welcome speech at the inaugural session.