The world is changing and Bangladesh is also moving forward with it. We keep seeing one mega infrastructure project after another being built in the capital to reduce traffic congestion and bring relief to the citizens. Multiple mega-projects are being implemented to compete with the cities of the developed world. Yet the question is: If those projects are successfully implemented, how much will the suffering be reduced in the life of the average citizen?
Although seven flyovers have been constructed in the capital in the last one decade at a cost of around Tk 4,000 crore, they have not been able to play a significant role in reducing traffic congestion in the capital. Instead, they are creating severe traffic jams due to the intersection around foot over-bridges.
Thousands of crores have been spent in the last few years for the development of the capital's communication system including footpaths, circular waterways, foot over-bridges, u-turns, and underpasses. But in practice, they have not been able to play a significant role in reducing traffic congestion. The biggest example of shortcomings in the development of road infrastructure in the capital are the 10 u-turns built in the last four years. U-turns made at a cost of crores have increased rather than reduced traffic congestion.
The traffic congestion and communication system has not changed much in these projects. On the contrary, the suffering of the people has increased.
In the last few years, ordinary people have become restless due to traffic congestion. Therefore, the metro was the biggest mega-project of the government to reduce traffic congestion around the capital. The work of this metro rail has already been completed from Uttara Dia Bari to Agargaon area. The rest of the work and construction of the station is in full swing. We are told it will take 36 minutes to reach Motijheel from Uttara when it starts its journey.
However, if this metro rail is implemented, how much relief will it actually provide to the city life?
We can look at India or Pakistan to get an idea of how much traffic congestion will be reduced. Metro rails have been running in 10 cities of India for a long time. Although the suffering of the people in the transport sector has been lessened due to the fact that there are no alternative places for vehicles to get to and from the stations at the same time, the traffic congestion has increased several times instead of decreasing.
On the other hand, Lahore is the most populous city in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan introduced the Lahore metro rail system in 2016 to bring relief to the people in this populous city; it is the only metro rail in Pakistan. This metro rail started its journey from October 2020. Due to the construction of stations at the right places and the sense of order on the roads, the traffic congestion in this city of one and a half crore people has indeed been reduced to a great extent.
However, the reality that is emerging so far in Bangladesh is that there is a lot of fear that the metro rail will increase the suffering in urban life. Stairs of several stations have been lowered on the pavement. There was not enough space for several lakh passengers to get on and off. One by one, the flyovers have been made and the sidewalks have been shortened.
The bus road nationalization will also be launched on a trial basis from December 1 this year. On this day, Dhaka Nagar Paribahan will run from Ghatarchar in Keraniganj to Kanchpur. In the first phase, the project will start its journey with 120 buses. Besides, bus rapid transit is being developed from the airport to Gazipur. Another BRT between Gazipur and Narayanganj is planned. The government also plans to build a 256-kilometre subway network around Dhaka.
Only time will tell how much relief city life will experience if these projects are implemented. A traffic-free and safe Dhaka -- this is what everyone wants.
Farid Uddin Rony is a freelance journalist. Currently, content planner at Channel i Positive Think. Email: [email protected].
