Dealing with traffic
Photo: Amdadul Huq / Driknews
Much has been said about traffic jam in Dhaka city. Do we have any solution or improvement plan? Mere concern will not solve the problems, we need to take action and act immediately. Thanks to the Honourable Prime Minister for asking the authorities to have staggering working hours. This is something new, innovative and, interestingly, was worked out by none other than the prime minister herself. Where are our so called experts? It has been disclosed that the STP (Strategic Transport Plan) took four years to get approval. It might take another 30 to 40 years to implement the project. In line with this, I take this opportunity to suggest the following measures to be considered/ adopted to reduce traffic jam significantly: These are short term measures. Dhaka could have two working hours. Geographical demarcation may be made from east to west dividing the city into two zones. Theoretically speaking, such a demarcation would start from Natun Bazar in the east via Gulshan-2, Kakoli, Mohakhali, Bijoy Sarani, Road 27 Dhanmondi, Sat Masjid road to Hazaribagh in the west dividing Dhaka city into two regions. One zone, say Dhaka North, should have working hours 8 to 16 hours and the other (Dhaka South) from 9 to 17 hours. All public, private institutions, banks, schools, universities and commercial enterprises are to follow the same time within the same zone. This could be relaxed for schools and hospitals only. Shopping centres/complexes within the zone must have their own weekly holidays. (no cost involvement). Introduce short route/destination bus services. This could be further facilitated by short area circular buses (double-decker). Such areas could be around Motijheel, Farm Gate, New Market, Mirpur etc. (no cost involvement). Small buses must be withdrawn in phases and replaced with double-decker buses (may be considered under PPP). Provide/construct bus bays, one and or more depending on the busy points (nominal cost). Separate rickshaw lanes could be provided (substantial cost involved). In this regard, investigation should be initiated why the first move to introduce these lanes was abandoned or failed. Provide/construct short length/span (say 100m or so) pre-fabricated steel flyover/bridge at busy intersections. This could be considered under PPP. Foreign contractors may be considered as well. These bridges may be installed in two to three weeks. Such points may be Gulistan, Paltan, Malibagh, Sat Rasta, Gulshan-2, Shahbagh, New Market, Bijoy Sarani etc. Would the authorities concerned please take the initiative to implement these plans?
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