Crossing roads in Dhaka: The horrific experiences of the people

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, is notorious for its traffic congestion and chaotic road conditions. For pedestrians, crossing the streets here is not just a routine task but a harrowing experience that tests patience, agility, and luck. The complexities of road management, traffic woes, and the city's residents' traumatic experiences while exploring potential solutions and the necessity of government intervention are crucial to addressing this issue. 

Road management: A daunting challenge

Effective road management is crucial for any city, but Dhaka presents unique challenges. With over 20 million people, the city is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and this density translates into severe traffic congestion. The city's road network needs to be equipped to handle the burgeoning population and the ever-increasing number of vehicles. 

Narrow streets, poorly maintained infrastructure, and a lack of pedestrian crossings make the situation dire. Bumper-to-bumper traffic is daily, exacerbated by haphazard parking, frequent road construction, and many unregulated rickshaws and street vendors occupying road space. 

Stories of close encounters with speeding vehicles and heart-stopping moments in the middle of bustling intersections are familiar. 

"Every time I step onto the road, I pray that I make it to the other side safely. The lack of pedestrian overpasses and the high speeds at which cars, buses, and motorcycles travel add to the danger," says Maisha Mehzabeen, a banker. 

Many pedestrians are forced to navigate between moving vehicles, often carrying heavy loads or small children, as there are insufficient footbridges all over the city. Syeda Sumaya, a private job holder residing in Dhaka's Shyamoli area, expressed her frustration with crossing the road twice daily. '‘There was a foot over-bridge in Shyamoli, but the government decided to renew it, which was a great initiative. But it took almost two years to get it done, and for the past two years, crossing this busy Mirpur road was like a nightmare to me." 

According to a report by the private organization Road Safety Foundation last year, in 2023 the highest number of road accidents occurred in Dhaka city, where pedestrians faced 21.29 per cent of accidents during Eid-ul-Fitr. 

Having been told as development, the unstoppable road construction of Old Dhaka has made the situation unbearable for its residents. Areas like Tikatuli and Wari can barely be usable. People get stuck in mud, sometimes fall, and get injured. Emran Hosen, a class ten student, fell at the Doyel Chattar of Tipu Sultan Road. He says, "I have to go to school daily from that route. Since the road is under construction, vehicles must move slowly. So. Rickshaws, both battery and non-battery and bikes and cars get stuck there. I once had an accident because I could not move in time. The road management could be better.   

Captal's Purana Paltan's mor is quite dangerous, leaving people in trauma while crossing one end to another. "This is the third time this month I have had an accident, one with a motorbike and two with a rickshaw; I got a near-death scene with the bus as well. From then I try to avoid that route, then again, the horrific experience haunts me every time," says Imtiaz Ahmed, an online businessman. 

Why is it difficult?

Several factors contribute to the difficulty of crossing roads in Dhaka. The primary issues are the sheer traffic volume, inadequate road infrastructure, and a proper monitoring cell. 

The lack of designated pedestrian crossings and foot overbridges forces people to risk their lives by crossing in unsafe spots. Drivers' erratic behaviour, often disregarding speed limits and traffic signals, further endangers pedestrians. 

Recently, we witnessed the incident of Rabiul, a young boy who was accused and arrested for crossing pedestrians at five tk through a ladder on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway road of Narayanganj. 

The issue is odd, and it is not Rabiul's initiative. Though there were overbridges, people chose this way because the bus stops in the middle, and people prefer crossing that way. 

When a senior citizen, Ahsan Habib, asked why he did not use the newly inaugurated foot-over bridge, he said, '‘I have knee-ache and barely can use a high staircase like that. Also, there are drug addicts on the bridge, which fears me.'' 

Often, we see people crossing roads illegally, which raises ethical questions. However, we must also consider the time and capacity of senior citizens crossing roads through sky-high foot-over bridges. These need to be human-friendly and favourable to senior citizens as well.

Implementing and enforcing strict traffic regulations is also crucial. Although these are nothing new, they are repeated because they have yet to be followed. 

Modern technology can play a role. Intelligent traffic management systems that optimize traffic flow and pedestrian signals can make crossing roads safer. Introducing dedicated pedestrian zones in busy areas could protect those on foot from vehicular traffic hazards.

afranawmi@yahoo.com