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Despite extensive discussions and proposed solutions, the relentless traffic congestion in Dhaka continues to worsen, demanding urgent attention. The situation exacerbates during the holy month of Ramadan every year, underscoring the pressing need for immediate action.
Over the past two decades, Dhaka and other major cities have experienced rapid urbanisation and a rise in motor vehicles. Though the increase in private cars is modest, on an average 1.50 per cent in the last ten years, the increase in motorcycles is sharp. BRTA statistics showed that the annual average growth in registered motorcycles stood at 9.70 per cent in the previous decade. Besides the registered motor vehicles, the unregulated rise in motorised contraptions, battery-run rickshaws to be precise, has compounded urban challenges, mainly traffic congestion. Almost all roads and streets in Dhaka are now occupied by motorcycles and batter-run rickshaws, intensifying traffic congestion. Non-battery or human-pedalled rickshaws are also growing, only to make things worse.
Ride-sharing motorcycles and rickshaws are used as personal vehicles as these can carry only one or two people at a time. So, Dhaka faces unique congestion challenges mainly due to the overwhelming reliance on personal vehicles. These vehicles, coupled with CNG-driven three-wheelers, are also considered para-transit as these offer door-to-door services between points that are not served by regular public transports. Being vastly responsive to passenger demand, these vehicles become an essential mode of public transport, also reflecting inadequacies in public transportation systems.
However, motorcycles have become a serious troublemaker to other vehicles on roads and pedestrians due to unruliness. It already has a bad name for gross violation of traffic rules. Riding on footpaths and driving from the opposite direction of the roads by the bikers have become unstoppable. Criminals are also using motorcycles for quick escape from the spots. The recent surge in snatching, mugging and robbery in Dhaka owes significantly to motorcycles.
Battery-run rickshaws also become a menace on roads and streets due to growing unruliness. Though the vehicle provides comfort to passengers and drivers, reckless and unruly driving has become a regular thing now, putting pedestrians and other vehicles at risk. Like some motorcycles, many battery-run rickshaws also drive on the wrong sides and in opposite directions of roads. Rickshaws and motorcycles are parked at various turning points and intersections of roads and streets, causing undue congestion.
Illegal occupation of footpaths and roadsides by makeshift vendors only adds to the traffic congestion. Pedestrians cannot walk, and vehicles cannot move smoothly due to these makeshift outlets. Over the years, the makeshift shops have been backed by political goons and police. After the political changeover on August 5, it now becomes a big question: who is still backing the makeshift vendors? The same old but flawed logic that the vendors are poor people and need some support cannot be accepted at all. Footpaths must be free for walkers, and streets and roads for the movement of vehicles.
If all the footpaths become free from any illegal occupation, people will choose to walk more and avoid any kind of vehicles to travel short distances. It will help reduce the demand for cars on roads and ultimately contribute to cutting the congestion to some extent. Again, keeping the roads free from vendors will help ease vehicular movement. Moreover, more public buses are necessary to reduce the number of motorcycles and rickshaws on roads and streets. The buses have to be decent and commuter-friendly. All these suggestions are not new at all. Nevertheless, repeating this is necessary as the authorities seem to be indifferent to the problems.