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Dhaka's traffic mess
10/13/2005
Traffic month is being observed in the city to teach motor vehicle drivers how to use the roads, ensure fitness of vehicles and road safety measures. Pedestrians are also made aware of their responsibilities and the ways to avoid vehicle-related accidents.
Dhaka has become a megacity in the new millennium. But the city could not develop new roads over decades except construction of one overpass at Mohakhali and a small flyover at Khilgaon. There has been a rapid increase in the number of vehicles on the roads and also public and private sector activities, requiring more movements of people in vehicles on the city roads.
Public transports including buses and taxis have increased more in proportion to private motorcars. Dhaka's very familiar scene is the movement of unfit vehicles, which are often seen creating jams on the main roads and also causing noise and environmental pollution when they ply. Many of the drivers of public transports drive vehicles with fake driving licenses, leading to accidents. Rickshaws, though banned from some of the main roads, have been increasing day by day in other roads, streets and lanes, particularly in the residential areas.
Pedestrian safety is a very important issue concerning road safety measures. Pedestrians should always walk on the pavements. But pavements are vanishing due to street hawkers and stalls. Overbridges are also not adequate in number.
There is no alternative to extending road facilities, flyovers and overbridges, and developing a synchronised traffic signal system. Traffic laws have to be updated in tune with the new century, and applied in all cases of violations. Computerised data banks have to be set up to monitor traffic offences and fake driving licences and vehicle registrations.
Zareen Rafa
Niketon, Gulshan, Dhaka
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