Putting the plan into action

Perhaps the biggest factor behind Dhaka being one of the least liveable cities in the world is its woeful traffic situation. Not only do we lose billions of dollars in forgone GDP -- which could have potentially dragged us out of poverty by now -- but those who live in the city suffer immeasurably from the stress it creates. To its credit, the government has already undertaken two major projects -- the Metro Rail and Bus Rapid Transits -- but it should also do everything it can to expedite the process and make sure they do not get delayed as most public projects tend to do. At the same time, we commend the simple yet effective strategies included in the government’s grand plans for Dhaka’s traffic, such as colour-coded bus service and smart card passes to improve efficiency. However, the success of these great initiatives depends entirely on proper implementation, from completion of the various transit systems to their eventual operation.