Severe traffic jams have been experienced in the capital in recent days. The sufferings of the commuters have been increasing due to the intense traffic gridlocks.
Visiting several areas of the city, this correspondent found that severe traffic congestions were seen in Dhanmondi, Shahbag, Paltan, Science Lab, Bangla Motor, Kakrail, Karwan Bazar, Mouchak, Motijheel, Jatrabari and other main roads of the capital on Monday.
However, analysts said that the public transport system in the capital has not yet been developed properly. City buses compete with each other to get more passengers. Often they block the roads and stop here and there to take passengers.
It was learnt that, a city has to have at least 25 percent of its roads. However, Dhaka city have only 7 to 8 percent of the roads. Although there are 3 to 4 per cent of roads for traffic. Even after that, buses and other vehicles are being parked on the road.
Vehicles often get stuck for hours at the entrance points of Dhaka. Especially on holidays the adjacent areas of Dhaka including Savar, Tongi, Ashulia, Kanchpur become congested due to the traffic jams.
On Monday noon, visiting Karwan Bazar traffic circle, it was seen that the vehicles were stopped for a long time. Many people were getting out of buses and cars and walking to their destinations.
Not only Karwan Bazar, but also Shahbagh, Matshya Bhaban, Banglamotor, Panthapath, Farmgate, Agargaon, Paltan intersection, Motijheel, Gulistan, Mohakhali and Banani areas. These areas have been visited and there were traffic jams on both sides of the road.
Pedestrians claimed that vehicles on both sides of the road sometimes come to a standstill for hours in these areas.
Saddam Hossain, a pedestrian in Karwan Bazar said that there is no foot bridge at Karwaran Bazar intersection. So people cross the busy roads risking their lives. He said since there is no foot bridge, it is the responsibility of the traffic police to stop the vehicles and allow people to cross the road. But they also do not perform their duties properly, he added.
A traffic constable seeking anonymity said that he had to take a break from time to time while performing his duties. Besides, many do not perform their duties properly due to the coronavirus pandemic. Besides, some traffic policemen sit in the police boxes showing various excuses instead of performing their duties properly.
The Sergeants are enforcers of traffic law and are cardinal to maintaining traffic order. But, the traffic sergeants often stay busy in checking the documents of the vehicles without noticing traffic jam. There are allegations that some traffic sergeants stop cars and check documents unnecessarily. This increases the intensity of traffic jams also.
Moreover, traffic congestion in the capital is caused by illegal parking on the road, occupation of sidewalks, temporary wholesale raw market on the side of the road, non-development of automatic traffic signal system, non-compliance with lanes, tendency to disobey traffic laws, negligence of traffic police and so on.
Iftekharul Islam, ADC of Media and Public Relations Department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police told the Bangladesh Post, “Roads have become narrow and dilapidated due to the constant digging of roads due to development work and utility service. However, traffic jam is now much less than it was earlier.”
In response to a question, he added that the traffic police are working relentlessly to reduce traffic congestion. For the convenience of the citizens, the traffic department is always trying to reduce the traffic congestion.
