Urban mobility in Dhaka has reached a critical juncture. As we grapple with increasing congestion and environmental degradation, the need for a shift in transportation culture -- moving away from private vehicle reliance toward integrated public transit systems -- has never been more urgent.
To illustrate this, I conducted a personal comparative analysis of my daily commute between residential Dhaka and Uttara that I have tabulated.
The results offer a compelling argument for sustainable transport.
Comparative analysis
Key observations
Policy recommendations
Looking ahead, the development of the underground Metro Rail network will be a transformative milestone for Dhaka. To fully capitalize on this, I propose the following strategic considerations:
This will enable workforce decentralization, allowing residents to live in satellite areas like Purbachal, thereby reducing the population density in the city core.
Furthermore, there is an urgent need to enforce the integrity of reserved coaches for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and women. A robust "civic sense" must be supported by strict regulatory enforcement.
Adopting this mindset in Dhaka is essential to move away from the "luxury-first" approach to transportation.
The transition to a sustainable, efficient, and healthy urban transport system must not be seen merely as a logistical challenge but rather as a collective social responsibility.
By curbing the unnecessary use of private vehicles and embracing public transit, we can reduce our carbon footprint, improve public health, and create a more livable, organized, and sustainable Dhaka for the next generation.
Md Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury is Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment,Forest and Climate Change.