The spectre of traffic congestion in the capital is only expected to deteriorate further in the days ahead, compounding the daily suffering faced by commuters in one of the most densely populated megacities of the world.
“I have to spend about two hours every day travelling to and from my Paltan office,” said Jannatul Ferdous, a resident of Natunbazar, adding that the trip usually takes 30 minutes on a non-congested road.
A number of passengers and commuters also shared similar frustrations over the problems they have to face on a daily basis because of traffic jam.
Jannatul said she often had to wait for long periods on the road because of the lack of public transports on the city’s thoroughfares, adding that: “Even if I can catch any passenger vehicle luckily, there is almost no room left, even for standing.”
Calling for the number of public transports to be increased in the city, she said: “If something is not done soon, commuting will become a worse experience in a few years.”
Echoing Jannatul, urban planner Prof Nazrul Islam said: “The traffic congestion problem will worsen in the city in a few years, because of its growing population.”
However, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday told reporters that his primary task would be to free the choking capital Dhaka from the grip of traffic jam.
As part of the first steps towards realizing this goal, the minister pledged stern steps to evict illegally occupied roadside establishments and to stop the plying of unauthorised vehicles in the city.
The minister also gave assurances for starting construction works of two mega projects – the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – that can significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Communications ministry officials, however, did not share their minister’s optimism over the timing of the two projects.
Sources at the ministry said although consultants have been appointed for the MRT project, the tender process for work on the main structure have not even started.
Besides, the construction of the Tk22,000 crore MRT, stretching from the capital’s Uttara to Motijheel, was a very long-term project, with 130 months (12 years) set aside for it.
The same sources also said consultants were yet to be appointed for the 20km BRT project, which will stretch from Shahjalal International Airport in the capital to Joydebpur in Gazipur.
The BRT project – estimated to be completed as early as 2016 – would provide Gazipur residents with a dedicated road to drive straight to the airport.
To solve the existing crisis, Dr Nazrul suggested swift implementation of the MRT and the BRT, reinforcement of traffic regulation system in the city, and protection of its walkways from occupation.
“In a word, there has to be an improvement in the overall management of the city’s communication sector,” he added.
