Dhaka keeps facing new traffic and transport problems because of a lack of long-term solution to existing problems, according to a study.
The study done by Buet Professor Dr Md Shamsul Hoque pointed out that the problems could not be solved for a long term without coordination among all stakeholders in the traffic and transport system.
Outcomes of the study were presented at a seminar, organized by the Association of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Alumni (ABUETA), at the BUET seminar hall yesterday.
“The government usually does not supervise Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects as well as the foreign projects and that is how those projects are finished. As a result, bodies such as Rajuk, BRTA, Dhaka City Corporation and LGRD work with individual plans and have no idea if a project will conflict with another,” said Shamsul.
“We sometimes find solutions to big problems but because of a lack of a unitary authority and coordination between different departments, those become unfeasible as long-term solutions,” he added.
Professor Shamsul said Mohakhali Flyover was an obstacle to implementing some other mega projects in the area, adding that such a situation could have been avoided if the government had properly followed strategic transport plan (STP) for Dhaka.
“Water buses were introduced for people traveling from Aminbazar to Sadarghat but while doing so, the authorities concerned did not think how commuters will reach Motijheel from Sadarghat within the shortest possible time,” he said.
Shamsul said: “There are similar problems with rails. A train cannot run fast because of the large number of level crossings it has to pass which also causes traffic congestion. But if we built an elevated railway, trains could have moved faster without hindering traffic on the road.
“This way, many projects are taken up or implemented for development but most of those are conflicting with each other, bringing no solution to traffic woes in Dhaka.”
“Rather than focusing on the number of vehicles running on a road, we need to think how many passengers could be provided with transport service within the least possible time, said the Buet professor.
According to a 2010 JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) study, 19.8% city dwellers walk to their destinations, 38.3% travel by rickshaw, 28.3% by public bus, 0.0% by railway, 5.1% by car and 0.1% take waterway.
Director General of Bangladesh Railway Engineer Toffazal Hossain admitted the problems of too many level crossings, saying: “There are at least 25 crossings in the 16-kilometre rail route from Dhaka to Narayanganj. If the number can be reduced, trains would run faster and we can also increase the number of trains.”
Addressing the seminar, Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said: “Everyone is complaining about traffic and transport problems but there are some factors. Besides, there are lots of bureaucratic problems in the country which force us to work tactfully.”
“A magical transformation is not possible but we are trying our best,” the minister said.
Traffic control official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Md Shah Abid Hossain said: “Illegal parking, frequent level crossings, motorised and non-motorised vehicles running on the same road, unplanned development of residential and commercial areas, lack of traffic infrastructure, and erection of shopping centres, houses and schools beside main roads are responsible for traffic and transport problems in the city.”