The government has constructed flyovers and elevated expressways and introduced metro rail which are playing a significant role in reducing traffic snarl in the city. However, road discipline in the capital remains as bad as ever despite observing many traffic weeks and awareness campaigns and drives by law enforcers.
Experts have identified poor traffic and bus management system, dysfunctional signalling system, reckless driving and unusual road race by drivers as the reasons why the traffic situation in Dhaka remains chaotic. Restoring discipline in the transport sector is a must for the city.
Unauthorised parking, the growing use of private and small vehicles, the presence of rickshaws on key roads, and lack of proper enforcement of laws are deteriorating the traffic situation in the city. These are the snags happening under the very nose of the authorities concerned.
Mayors of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) expressing firm determination to bring order in public transport at any cost repeatedly said buses plying the city roads without route permits or in rundown condition will be seized.
More than one in five buses
of private operators running
in the capital have no valid
fitness certificates
But more than one in five buses of private operators running in the capital have no valid fitness certificates. The unfit or rundown buses are still ruling city streets under the very nose of the authorities concerned.
There is a disorder in the public transport service in the city. On the other hand, it was noticed that route permits are taken for one route but (busses) are operated on another route instead of running on that route.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) banned buses older than 20 years and trucks older than 25 on Dhaka streets. According to the BRTA, Dhaka metropolitan area has 13,778 vehicles, in four categories, which fall within the age bar. Among them, 8,125 are trucks, 1,842 vans, 1,446 buses and 2,365 mini-buses.
The bus must be operated on the route for which permission has been granted. The authorities concerned must bring order in public transport service in the city.
As it is tough to work to bring all stakeholders responsible for disorders in public transport services in the city, the authorities concerned have to take up initiative with utmost determination. The bus owners could not work as per their promise given to the city corporation authorities. Previously, trucks were allowed to enter the city between 10pm and 6am, but they actually entered the city after 8pm. It is not possible to improve the city’s traffic situation without some engineering solutions outlined in the revised STP, according to experts. The road network must be expanded alongside improving the city’s transport management capacity. Besides, sufficient mass transports, trained and disciplined drivers, and effective traffic management and introduction of bus route franchising system are necessary to restore discipline in the transport sector and end unhealthy competitions among buses for passengers.
