Toys down the drain!
As expected the DMP's expensive toys CCTV, Automatic Signals etc etc have failed to live up to their ambitious billing. The DS has repeatedly (including DS of 12/1/10) reported on the lax implementation, wholesale flaunting of traffic laws, and cosmetic fining of a few offenders unlucky enough to get caught to fulfil the traffic controllers' quotas.
Traffic jams galore are still the order of the day, public roads provide free parking and the march of the Gas Guzzling Monstrosities (GGMs) on poor Dhaka's 7% pot-holed roads continues unabated with the addition of over 100 cars every day. Could the hundred crore 'toy' fund not be better utilized on repairing the crores of potholes that masquerade as roads in Dhaka?
Recently an article by Dr Mohammed Shakil Akhter of BUET in DS of 14 Nov 2009 drew my attention. After much research on MRT, DITS, DUTP, STP and the TPs of other countries, Prof Akhter has come up with a coherent article whose very title “ A Big NO to Flyover and Subway in Dhaka” should make the Motor Vehicle lobby's hair stand on end. He reiterates the information that I have been repeating ad nauseam for over 2 years - that private cars occupy 40% of road space carrying about 3% of people, while buses occupy 7% road space and carry 28% of passengers. Rickshaws occupy 40% space but carry over 53% people. He concludes by saying that “This clearly shows that car is the source of congestion, not bus and certainly not rickshaws”. Yet the axe continues to fall on those that benefit the people most. The article merits close attention of the saner authorities.
When will our relevant authorities realize that traffic in Dhaka has degenerated into a haggard, old, pock-marked whore? No amount of expensive trinkets/ornaments can ever transform it into a beautiful bride. Take heed, therefore, ye feckless administrators, lest one day very soon, the problems become insurmountable and turn around and bite those who have resolutely been irresponsible in their duties.
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