On the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, the city has witnessed acute traffic congestion at most of the important points causing untold sufferings to thousands of city dwellers.
The traffic police have identified 32 reasons for traffic congestion, which include damaged vehicles, illegal rickshaws, violation of traffic rules, battery-run rickshaws, illegal parking and buses making stops in the middle of the road.
Wednesday’s traffic congestion was caused by the protest of BCS candidates at the Shahbag intersection since morning. The Hindu festival of Rathajatra, which includes a large procession, also came out around 2pm and went through several major roads, further worsening the congestion.
Such occasions in the capital also hinder traffic movement, according to the traffic department.
Allegedly, law enforcers have stopped taking actions against illegal vehicles after being bribed by vehicle owners.
Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority ALM Abidur Rahman says that they have taken various steps to ease the traffic jam in the city, especially against illegal vehicles. “Besides, the clean street operation will be launched soon to take control of traffic system,” he said.
When asked about the measures taken to ease traffic during Ramadan, Deputy Commissioner (media and public relations) of DMP Masudur Rahman said, “We’re trying our level best, but traffic congestion in the city is an old problem. A comprehensive and coordinated effort is needed to streamline the city’s traffic system.”
Home ministry sources said there are 2m vehicles plying on the streets as opposed to a mere 500,000 that have the permission to do so.
In most cases, illegal vehicles travel under the noses of traffic sergeants, who play a silent role and do nothing. The DMP introduced auto signals and lane system in 2009 but there was no effective improvement.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, a senior official of police headquarters requesting anonymity said under section 149 of the vehicle act, cases can be filed against illegal vehicles but the fine is only Tk200.
“On the other hand, cases can be filed under section 152 for unfit vehicles, but the owners can easily escape from that by giving a Tk700 fine,” he said.
Besides, there is no law to penalise damaged vehicles, he said, adding that if the laws are not improved there would be no improvement in traffic conditions.
During Ramadan, street shops are set up on roadsides, selling food items and other goods to city dwellers. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the road as the footpath is often blocked by such shops.
Abdullah Al-Mahmud, Joint Commissioner of traffic division, DMP, told the Dhaka Tribune that during Ramadan and Eid a large number of vehicles enter the capital with different goods for sale, which is the cause of traffic congestions.
When asked about the traffic police taking bribes, he denied the allegation and said actions will be taken if such allegations are proved.
Mahmud said the traffic police would campaign the public to use over bridges and ask market authorities to deploy volunteers to manage parking.