Mishap strengthens call for widening of roads

Manama

The accident that occurred on Sunday near Alba roundabout has highlighted the need to widen the roads in the Kingdom. As many as five vehicles were involved in the accident, which claimed the life of a Pakistani national and left three others injured.

Moreover, all the vehicles involved were heavy ones, reminding the fact that the roundabout is frequently used by such vehicles. Heavy traffic at the roundabout also causes inconvenience to regular travellers. At times, it takes about half an hour to cross the roundabout, due to the heavy flow of traffic. Moreover, many heavy industries are located in the vicinity.

According to Nishant D’Silva, who regularly passes through Alba roundabout, minor accidents are quite common in the area. “Tailbacks are common at the roundabout. Passengers soon grow impatient and when they hurry to cross it, accidents occur,” he said. 

He added the road, which connects Askar with the Alba roundabout is always congested as it is frequently used by heavy vehicles. It’s high time the authorities widen Askar-bound road,” he said. The Road Projects and Maintenance Directorate of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning said plans are ongoing to upgrade Alba and Nuwaidrarat interchanges.

The directorate had invited applications for contractors in March 2013 itself. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development will finance this project.  According to the ministry sources, the project includes a three-layered intersection at Alba roundabout. It also takes into consideration replacing the roundabout with traffic signals, constructing a dual flyover above Nuwaidrat intersection and revamping part of Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Avenue between Alba and Nuwaidrat intersections.  Sunday’s accident, which affected traffic for almost an hour and a half, has pressed the need for expediting the implementation of this project.