Highway Bill passed in parliament

The Highways Bill, 2021 was passed in Parliament today in a bid to get a full-fledged law replacing a century-old one in this regard.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader placed the Bill in the House which was passed by voice vote.

The bill intends to replace the Highways Act, 1925, which is an act of 1925. It has only five clauses, which are inadequate to deal with maintenance, management and construction of highways.

It has the provision of punishment -- maximum two years' jail or TK 5,000 to Tk 5 lakh fine -- in case of violation of the proposed law.

As per the Bill, the government will decide who can enter which roads, which roads will be declared as expressway and highways, how the expressway and highways will be operated and from which roads tolls will be collected.

The bill, after turning into law, will determine that the government or an individual selected by the government will develop, repair or maintain the highways, related sewerage system, drain, culvert, bridge construction and renovation.

It said that after paying the fixed charges, government, semi government and private service providers can set up their utility connections at the sidelines of the highways.

The bill also said that on the highways there will be no scope to place crops or something else for drying.

Without taking prior permission, no billboard, signboard, gate can be set up on highways, it stated.

Slow speed vehicles have to use lanes specified for them.

The bill also mentioned about taking steps to set up specific and safe place for disabled, elderly persons and children.

It also said that domestic animals cannot enter the highways or cross it except through specific places.