KUWAIT CITY, Aug 18: The Council of Ministers has taken significant steps to address the persistent issue of traffic congestion across the country. In a recent meeting, the Council reviewed proposals and recommendations submitted by various concerned authorities and assigned the Ministry of Interior to spearhead the coordination of efforts with several ministries and government agencies This comprehensive initiative aims to implement short, medium, and long-term solutions to ensure a sustainable improvement in traffic flow in coordination with the ministries of Finance, Public Works, Education, Communication, the Kuwait Municipality, Public Authority for Roads and Land Transport (PART), Civil Service Commission and the Fatwa and Legislation Department The Ministry of Interior has been directed to provide a final report by February 1, 2025, detailing the projects included in the implementation plan, actions taken by the involved authorities, and the timeline for the plan’s various operational stages.

Immediate and urgent solutions include implementing more flexible working schedules across institutions to reduce peak traffic and promoting the use of transport buses for school students to minimize individual vehicle use. This is in addition to developing key road entrances and exits, addressing traffic density hotspots with 39 identified development proposals; providing data on crowded intersections during peak periods, and exploring experimental measures, such as temporarily closing intersections controlled by signals on the Fourth Ring Road and ensuring the Kuwait Municipality only licenses high-density projects after conducting thorough traffic studies, with approvals linked to construction and licensing requirements.

The long-term solutions include urging the Ministry of Public Works to prioritize and fund road network projects like the development of the Second, Third, and Fourth Ring Roads, Damascus Street, and the Fahaheel Expressway; completing the regulatory framework for supervising bus operations and other public transport systems; fast-tracking decisions on the rapid transit system (metro), addressing gaps in the feasibility study, and determining the best approach to manage population growth. This is in addition to developing a comprehensive vision to improve road infrastructure in the long term exploring smart transportation solutions and preparing the necessary infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers emphasized the importance of coordination among government bodies to develop a sustainable and strategic approach to managing traffic. The plan addresses both immediate needs and long-term development goals, aiming for a cohesive solution that integrates public transportation, road network efficiency, and regulatory improvements.