DOHA: Central Municipal Council (CMC) members yesterday blamed bad roads for some of the deadly accidents and called on the Public Works Authority — Ashghal — and the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to study and rectify roads defects.
A motion regarding the increasing number of fatal accidents was tabled by Jassim bin Abdullah Al Malki, Deputy Chairman, CMC.
“Though accidents are caused due to several reasons, most are being caused by engineering defects like poor designs of most internal and major roads, large numbers of diversions, lack of sign boards in some areas and careless driving,” he said.
“To reduce accidents, efforts should be made by government departments to address the defects on some roads and strictly monitor motorists so they abide by traffic rules.”
Al Malki said the problem of accidents should be addressed not only by the Traffic Department but also the CMC which should discuss it with Ashghal, the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and the Ministry of Interior.
Saud bin Abdullah Al Khanzab, Chairman, CMC, said it was regrettable that authorities rush to investigate and fine motorists whenever there is an accident though the cause could also be due to defects on some roads. He forwarded the motion to the Public Utilities Committee to study the problem and come up with recommendations for the council.
Councillors also discussed the conduct of drivers of public transport buses (Karwa) and made recommendations to the company to improve services.
These included a request to the company to reconsider fines and punishments for erring motorists, especially those who are negligent.
Councillors want the company to exercise zero tolerance towards any violations so that motorists don’t repeat errors.
They also asked the company to complete the central monitoring and control system for bus and taxi drivers, especially with regard to speeding and to hold courses to improve the efficiency of its drivers’ knowledge about the roads, Qatar’s land area, customer care and languages, especially English.
Councillors stressed a more reliable customer service number where complaints against drivers can be lodged and addressed.
They recommended to the Traffic Department to reconsider lowering speed limits, especially in residential areas, establish a department to inspect internal and external roads to ensure that they all have signs and ensure that public buses stick to the right lanes at all times.
Saqar bin Saeed Al Muhindi, Councillor from Al Khor, expressed concerns about lack of lights on several internal roads in his area. The Public Utilities Committee sent recommendations to Ashghal, Kahramaa and the Ministry of Municipality to coordinate power supply in the area and install lights on streets.
Councillors said having lights on all streets is one of the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
The council received a reply from Dr Maryam Ali Abdul Malik, Director, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), to establishing a new health centre in Al Khor. The request had been tabled by Al Muhindi.
According to Dr Maryam, PHCC has started a health centre project in the area in co-operation with Ashghal. She said the centre was at design stages and authorities hoped to start work in mid-2015 and complete it in 2017.
The centre will serve Al Khour, Al Dhuhaira and neighbouring areas.The Peninsula
