The proposal by Dhaka North’s mayor to introduce an odd-even number plate traffic rationing scheme to reduce congestion deserves detailed consideration.
In principle, as the recent pilot in Delhi has shown, it could at a stroke cut congestion and pollution by halving the number of cars plying roads on any given day. However, it is important to also take note of experience from cities such as Athens, where wealthier people have simply bought more cars so they have both odd and even-numbered plates.
The lesson from such drawbacks is a simple one.
Dhaka’s chronic congestion problems can only be solved by implementing a comprehensive approach to bring about a comprehensive difference to traffic problems. Piecemeal efforts will not be enough.
A unified transport authority answerable to local authorities would go a long way towards improving matters if it was empowered to take a strategic approach to improving public transport and enforcing road regulations.
Making public transport more attractive to tempt more commuters and shoppers out of cars is the most widely proven approach that has helped major cities around the world cope with gridlock and curb costly traffic jams.
Dhaka needs to do the same and start investing heavily in improving the efficiency and quality of its buses.
Waiting for Metro Rail and other projects to come online will be leaving it too late. The capital cannot afford business as usual.
Making buses better by improving their quality and introducing segregated public transport-only lanes is the best way to speed up journey times for everyone. One properly functioning bus route can easily remove 30 cars off the road.
The benefits of getting rid of traffic congestion in terms of improving quality of life and attracting business would more than offset the cost of improvements.
