Congestion continues to cripple the capital during the fasting month of Ramadan, thus taking its toll on the city-dwellers. The snap was shot in busy Farmgate area. sun Photo The capital now experiences severe gridlock in some 72 hot spots as roads, lanes and bi-lanes are getting clogged with rush-hour traffic during the fasting month of Ramadan, thus causing huge public sufferings. City-dwellers
said bolder steps are nowhere in sight to ease endless traffic jams in city streets and mitigate the sufferings. Terrible traffic jams were found during spot visits to places like Jatrabari, Paltan, Shahbagh, Sonargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Kakrail and Malibagh on Wednesday. A chunk of ministers while heading for secretariat from the PMO after a DC conference faced severe gridlock on Tuesday. A traffic policeman at Sonargaon intersection said, “We are going through a sticky patch these days while controlling traffic. We get tired to tackle the vehicles.” Anamul Haque, who was stuck for 35 minutes near the same intersection, said, “I couldn’t move 500 metres even in one hour and a half.” Intractable traffic jam was seen on Wednesday in downtown Motijheel area from morning till iftar. It now takes hours to reach five minute’s distance in some area like Gulistan, Kakrail, Bailey Road, New Market, in front of Prime Minister’s office, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, Sukrabad, Science Laboratory, Elephant road, New Market, Azimpur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Gulshan, Uttara, Badda, Rampura, Maghbazar, Banani, Banglamotor and Farmgate. Many people are seen walking on foot as they left their stranded vehicles on their way to various destinations. Traffic policemen are in streets, haphazard traffic management too. Law-enforcers cannot control traffic smoothly. According to two intelligence agencies, traffic jam occurs for 30 reasons, including potholes, illegal parking, violation of traffic signals and police search. Allegations have it that police are involved in searching motorcycle and CNG-run auto-rickshaws instead of controlling vehicles, resulting in severe gridlock. In reply to a query, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan said police frisking is going on to tackle law and order. “Police have been asked not to harass anyone in the name of random spot checks.” According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) almost eight lakh vehicles have permission to run one Dhaka roads but the real number of vehicle in Dhaka in minimum 24 lakh. To control the traffic jam Dhaka metropolitan city has been divided into four parts- East, West, North and South. Among 2895 Traffic Polices 517 Sergeants, 1585 Constables are working for controlling traffic jam. Compare to the number of vehicles number of traffic police the number of traffic police is very insignificant. Sergeants and Constables do their duty on the highways and main roads but their presence is not visible in small lanes. Several investigations by intelligence and other government agencies showed that key reasons for traffic jam here are inadequate roads than required, rising number of private cars, indiscriminating route permit, unfit vehicles, non-transfer of coach counters outside Dhaka, lack of punishment for buses that stop haphazardly and hawkers occupying major part of footpaths. Roadside dustbins, waterlogging, lack of coordination in road cutting and repair work, inadequate bypasses, shopping malls, schools, hospitals and high-rises in residential areas also contribute to traffic jam. Experts proposed to stop meeting and procession, and movement of rickshaws on major roads, limit registration of light vehicles, increase road-user fee and confiscate outdated vehicles. Overwhelming congestion forms in Jatrabari for the poor state of roads in the area. Communications Minister Obaidul Quader visited traffic condition in Jatrabari on Wednesday and asked to repair potholes and pitfalls on roads under Jatrabari flyover within five days.
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