There was a time when traffic congestion plagued only the main streets of Dhaka, but today, it begins right at one’s doorstep. The daily ordeal of commuting in the city has escalated into a logistical nightmare.
According to a World Bank report, Dhaka’s average traffic speed has plummeted from 21 kmph a decade ago to a mere 7 kmph, with projections suggesting a further drop to 4 kmph by 2035 -- slower than the average walking speed. This decline costs the country a staggering $11.4 billion annually, as estimated by the Brac Institute of Government and Development.
Uttara is a vital transport hub connecting Dhaka to its neighbouring cities and regions. Located at Dhaka’s northern gateway, it links key cities like Gazipur and Tongi, while also providing easy access to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for domestic and international travel. Major highways, including the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail routes, converge in Uttara, facilitating swift travel to other districts.
The newly operational Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line-6) further enhances connectivity to central Dhaka, and inter-city bus terminals extend access to cities like Sylhet and Chattogram. With its integrated transport system, Uttara plays a central role in Dhaka's urban mobility, benefiting both local commuters and long-distance travelers.
However, the route between Uttara and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport highlights Dhaka’s ongoing traffic crisis. Despite initiatives like the elevated expressway and metro rail, congestion remains, worsened by the ongoing construction of the 20.2 km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The narrowing of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to two lanes without service roads has significantly worsened commuting conditions.
These traffic problems stem from unplanned urbanization and insufficient infrastructure for the growing population. The area once had service roads that separated local traffic from highway vehicles, but these were dismantled for the BRT project, intensifying congestion.
Illegal parking, undisciplined public transport, and a lack of emergency lanes further complicate matters. Street vendors’ encroachments on Jasimuddin Avenue and overcrowding by over 14,500 unfit buses and private cars add to the chaos.
With 76% of road space occupied by private vehicles, public transport struggles to operate efficiently, further slowing traffic. Ongoing construction projects, especially the BRT, have turned areas like Abdullahpur and Kuril Flyover into bottlenecks, with delays worsening the situation for commuters.
These multi-pronged approaches can ease traffic, improve public transport, and promote sustainable mobility
Solutions from around the world
Cities around the world are adopting innovative solutions to manage traffic and improve urban mobility. In Barcelona, dynamic traffic forecasting optimizes traffic flow through real-time parking data and traffic cameras connected via city-wide WiFi.
London’s integrated journey planner offers multi-modal travel options with real-time updates through mobile apps.
Hong Kong’s public light buses address last-mile connectivity by providing faster, direct routes that complement regular bus services.
Copenhagen’s integrative transport model promotes a seamless network of buses, metro, and cycling facilities, significantly reducing car use and CO2 emissions.
Hangzhou's extensive public bike-sharing system connects tourists and commuters alike, with 67,000 bikes and 230,000 daily rentals.
The UK’s active traffic management uses variable message signs to adjust speed limits and open hard shoulders, effectively reducing congestion and emissions.
In Delhi, a cluster bus service system replaces private buses through a public-private partnership, with standardized fares.
To improve Uttara's, and indeed Dhaka’s traffic conditions, the following strategies inspired by global successes can be implemented:
- Develop a mobile app integrating metro, buses, ride-sharing, and walking routes with real-time updates and GPS tracking for commuters.
- Improve transport integration by enhancing metro, bus, and cycling networks, adding park-and-ride facilities, and establishing cycling lanes to reduce car use.
- Add overpasses or underpasses from the airport to Haji camp-adjacent Dakshinkhan Road to separate airport traffic from other road users.
- Reinstate service roads along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to reduce congestion by separating local traffic from highway traffic.
- Decentralize Dhaka by relocating industries and government offices to nearby towns like Tangail, Mymensingh, and Comilla, improving connectivity.
- Run public awareness campaigns to educate drivers and pedestrians on traffic rules, promoting a disciplined driving culture.
These multi-pronged approaches can ease traffic, improve public transport, and promote sustainable mobility.
Addressing traffic woes will require coordinated efforts across government, urban planners, and citizens alike. By investing in smarter, integrated solutions for urban mobility, we can ensure that Uttara, and all of Dhaka, evolves into a model of efficient and sustainable urban transportation.
Dr Nusrat Hafiz is an Assistant Professor & Director of Women Empowerment Cell, BRAC Business School; Advisory Council Member, Harvard Business Review.
