Think logically

Sikander Ahmed, Niketon, Gulshan-1, Dhaka
Most mental asylums have a popular test for inmates being considered for release. They are asked to empty a big bucket of water with a small mug while an open tap pours into it. The ones who turn off the tap are considered first. The inference, rightly so, is that they have started to think logically. A similar start to the solution of the infernal traffic jams of Dhaka is at last discernable amongst the high and mighty. First the finance minister stated that cars carrying less than 4/5 people should not be allowed on some roads. Then the Bangladesh Bank stopped (?) car loans on 5 year cars. Harebrained and futile as these suggestions are, at least the real cause (hitherto swept under the rug) of traffic jams has been identified. Hardly 5% of vehicles (mostly office microbuses) carry 4 + people. 30-40% private cars run empty/half-empty. The BB directive on loans for cars should be a BIG FULL STOP for the next 3-5 years as we already have cars filling many times the capacity of our roads. Grandiose free-ways, highways, airports and the like will only result in more and more cars. Let's have mass transit systems for the common man first. Until then 'Joy Rickshaws'!!!