UNB, Dhaka :Transport and urban experts think the capital’s perennial traffic congestions can significantly be eased with some pragmatic steps and low-cost projects without constructing mega structures like flyovers.They think the focus could be given on effective traffic management by reducing the use of private vehicles, mainly cars, and replacing the microbuses and minibuses with single decker, double decker and articulated buses for optimising the use of roads.They recommended introducing Rapid Bus Transit (BRT), a large public transportation system having dedicated lanes for only buses, without delay so that commuters can quickly cross intersections and reduce their dependence on small vehicles. Rickshaws should also be banned where possible.Also backing both railway and waterway systems, they suggested formation of a strong unitary urban development authority to deal with traffic problems, work out effective plans and implement those.According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, there are now about 3 lakh cars among the 8.5 lakh registered motor vehicles in the capital. Buses carry 75 of percent of commuters occupying less than 20 percent of road spaces while cars carry 10-12 percent but occupy 70 percent of road spaces.Dr Mohammad Shamsul Hoque, a professor of Civil Engineering Department at Buet, told UNB that Bangladesh can enjoy the benefits of its economic boost by easing traffic congestions in the capital with good plans and low-cost projects instead of building costly flyoversand metro rail infrastructures. Dr Hoque, also a transport expert, said to improve Dhaka’s traffic condition, authorities must restrict registration of small vehicles like cars and regulate their movement. “They need to increase public buses, restrict densification of land use and relocate labour intensive industries like RMG factories.”Besides, he said, it is necessary to free roads and footpaths from illegal occupation and check street parking, ensure more road surfaces available for motorised vehicles and dedicate lanes for exclusive bust travel by implementing BRT.Urban expert and UGC ex-chairman, Prof Nazrul Islam said it is necessary to construct road a network and implement all mass transit related projects recommended in Strategic Transport Plan for Dhaka (STP) with high priority.Dr Sarwar Jahan, a professor of Urban & Regional Planning (URP) Department at BUET, told the agency, “Before taking any step to deal with traffic jams, we need to think how much road space we have and what modes of vehicle we should allow.”As Dhaka is a densely populated city with inadequate roads, policymakers must encourage mass transports instead of public vehicles. “The traffic situation will improve if we can control private vehicles and expand public transport fleet-buses and double decker ones. Cities London and Moscow have proved that.”Besides, he suggested using circular waterways for goods transportation to the city keeping heavy vehicles like trucks and covered vans at bay.Dr Mohammad Shakil Akther, an assistant professor of URP department at Buet said, “We should first make cars maintenance highly expensive to discourage their use.”He said there should be a law that every school must have its own buses to pick and drop their students to reduce the use of cars.Shakil said the existing train service can play a vital role in controlling traffic congestions by extending one or two more lines and introducing 10 additional commuter trains from Tongi and Narayangaj to Kamalapur and vice versa.
