Introduce shuttle trains
Photo: STAR
The Dhaka traffic problem continues to be menacing and is going to be worse with time. Here is something that the government may consider as a cheap alternative until an effective solution like metro, monorail, circular train is developed. 1. Shift the Kamalapur railway station to Joydevpur. 2. Introduce shuttle trains on the existing tracks between Kamalapur and Joydevpur. 3. These shuttle trains will operate within its own Zone which by definition would be two points of the existing railway tracks until separated by a major road. For example from Kamalapur to Mouchak area could be Zone A. Zone B could start from the other side of the Mouchak Road to Mohakhali. Cutting across the Mohakhali junction will be Zone C which can stretch up to the Cantonment. Zone D could begin from the present Cantonment station to the southern side of Bishwa Road. And Zone E could start from the northern side of Bishwha Road to Joydevpur. 4. All the Zones will be connected by pedestrian overbridges to ease the pedestrian jam that may result due to the need for changing trains. 5. In between these zones would be several stations at convenient points for people to hop on and hop off. 6. Since there are already two tracks, parallel commuting trains with front and rear engines could shuttle to increase the frequency of trains. 7. There will be a one hour, two hour, three hour ticket system as well as daily and monthly tickets valid for all zones. This system would allow the present traffic to have a continuous run in the city and reduce the jam at least in one part of the city. Rickshaws will be eased out as most people between Kamalapur to Joydevpur will be within 20 minutes from their place of stay or office and therefore can walk. A similar system could be introduced using the waterway with launches covering the area from Narayanganj to Ashulia to take care of the other side of Dhaka. On the same principle electric trains can be introduced on the VIP Road !!!
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