At the beginning of each school year, complaints about traffic congestion and voices arise, calling for an effective solution to this crisis. Meanwhile, research is underway to determine whether the world’s roads can accommodate approximately 800,000 cars, while more than three million vehicles are arriving. It is internationally recognized that the census is conducted over a period of 30 or 50 years, taking into account the population growth, as well as the growth of regions in general over these decades.
Therefore, route planning is generally based on this. In Kuwait, the road and transportation network has remained in a state of disrepair for decades. Despite some bridge construction, there has been no research into improving roads in the areas, the capital and the cities, which suffer from congestion over time. Thus, a modern vision is needed. On the other hand, it is well-known that road paving projects are carried out at night and are not closed during the day. This happens in all countries, especially those with hot weather -- whether in summer or winter.
Yet, there is no crisis like the one we are experiencing. There is also a culture of using public transportation, which saves effort, time and money, but it does not exist in our country. This is why you see vehicles parked outside schools every morning, blocking the roads and causing traffic. You find only one student in each car. In the past, when consumer education boomed, students traveled on the school bus and there were no crises. Today, waste is the basis of everything. This is why we hear about the commercialization of time and being late for appointments.
All these cost the State and the people dearly. In all other countries in the region, solutions have been found to this crisis. In Dubai, for example, the establishment of a modern transportation network -- the most important of which is the metro -- solved many problems, alleviated congestion, and saved time for everyone. In the meantime, in Kuwait, the train project remains a slogan.
It is true that in the past, subscriptions to tenders hindered projects. From now on, there is a complete, radical solution based on expanding the scope of work to improve the transportation network, roads and public transport. However, these solutions are not improvised. They are based on a flawed vision or hindrances to the people’s work. The Minister of Public Works is indeed fulfilling her role in this area. She is thanked, but that does not mean remaining without sound planning that takes into account the future.
At the same time, people’s time must be taken care of. Legal schools will master this. It means everything must be taken into consideration, so that the effort exerted does not become a mere civilization. Starting with raising awareness, we must encourage people -- all people -- to use public transportation and launch a metro project, which can be built by local or foreign private sector companies, as long as transportation systems cannot accommodate a large number of vehicles. What is coming today is a double waste of time, money and effort.
In this regard, we must put the spotlight on the police or security officers who shoulder a heavy burden. They carry out the difficult task of regulating traffic within a limited infrastructure. They should be thanked and their efforts recognized. We address this to First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, so that he could give them due consideration and encouragement for their efforts in regulating traffic, even in the most densely populated areas.
Even with its population, China has solved the traffic problem through large bridges and a metro. Transportation is organized and worthy of emulation.
