We welcome the government’s approval of a plan for Dhaka North and Gazipur City Corporations to construct 22 U-loops on the main highway passing Shahjalal airport between Dhaka and Gazipur.
The project aims to cut congestion by over 25% through smoothing traffic flows by facilitating turns for cars and larger vehicles without interrupting other drivers.
At an estimated cost of Tk50cr, this offers a cost-effective way to ease the crippling congestion that often afflicts this and other crucial routes in the capital.
In order to work effectively, this must not be a standalone project.
Projects such as this need an overall improvement in lane discipline and compliance with traffic laws and lights, to allow them to work properly and reduce the risk of gridlocks merely being squeezed into other places, rather than resolved altogether.
The current situation, in which rules and regulations are not enforced and the bus services on which most commuters rely have little infrastructure in the way of set bus stops and stands, is simply a recipe for more chaos.
The project’s approach of providing different lanes for cars and buses to make loop turns is certainly a step in the right direction to bring about more predictability and to smooth traffic flows for all users.
A similar approach should be taken in other areas to prevent the huge delay and inconvenience suffered by commuters and pedestrians alike in movement on Dhaka’s roads. As we have editorialised before, introducing and enforcing public transport-only bus lanes on major thoroughfares is a must to help bring about the improvements to the city’s bus services and to make a long-term dent into reducing congestion.
Dhaka’s chronic congestion problems need a comprehensive approach to bring about a city-wide solution. A piecemeal approach will not be enough.
This project can help make a difference, but it is vital that its advantages and risks are properly analysed so continuing improvements can be made to help manage Dhaka’s traffic in the the most efficacious manner.
