Basra in 2023
Basra, in 2023, is finally showing signs of improvement. Major road and bridge projects around this great city will improve the transport system enormously over the next two years.
I saw many rubbish collection trucks picking rubbish from bins and pavements. Private investment in construction in Basra is ahead of public investment in infrastructure, with shiny new buildings surrounded by half-finished pavements and unpaved roads.
Frequent power cuts have created a thriving market for home generators.
Inside Basra, the roads are crowded, and traffic jams are commonplace. There are a few traffic lights, but many major junctions are managed by a single traffic policeman. The lack of roundabouts means that drivers sometimes have to drive greater distances than needed to get from one place to another.
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