Published: 12:00 AM, 15 October 2016
Traffic flow high at Airport Road, Mohakhali, Farmgate
The diameter of the circles correspond to traffic volumes.
Traffic congestion in Dhaka is a regular source of sufferings for the city dwellers. Although several initiatives have been taken since last twenty years to minimize the problem, traffic snarl is yet to come down. Experts mention twelve points of Dhaka with high traffic movement and three of those are highly congested.
The International Growth Centre (IGC) recorded 32,000 vehicles commuted through those three points on data collection day. A publication of IGC has suggested that the most trafficked areas are New Airport Road, Mohakhali, Farmgate, the main arteries of the city. The research said that twelve points of the capital face comparatively heavy traffic pressure. The points are Gabtoli, Science Lab, Airport Road, Kuril Road, Gulshan 2, Mohakhali, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Kakrail, Zero Point, Buriganga Bridge and Postogola Bridge.
Moreover, the organization counted nearly 20,000 vehicles commuting through Kuril, Gulshan-2 and Science Lab intersection. On the other hand, Gabtoli and Kakrail had 10,000 autos while some 8,000-10,000 vehicles crossed Karwan Bazar, Zero Point and Postogola Bridge. In 2014, IGC said that a total of 7 lakh 80 thousand vehicles commute in the capital. Besides, BRTA said more 2.42 lakh vehicles had been added till August last.
According to the IGC, Motijheel-Airport is the most important and populated route of the city. Dhaka has no alternatives parallel to the main road. Therefore, traffic jam in one point at the connecting roads prompts vehicle pressure at other places. "We have observed traffic congestions at vital spots of the capital," Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor said. "Our plan is to reshape the total public transport system of Dhaka. We are trying to introduce a total of 3,000 new buses and initiatives are on to build U-loops to ease the communication," he commented.
According to IGC traffic chart, traffic flow remains at its minimum around 2am, and increases steeply around 5am to 6am reaching the morning peak by 9am, decreases at 1-2 pm during lunch time, and increases again to reach its daily peak at 6 pm. The volume peaks during the two main commuting times, 9am and 6pm. Private cars are the top commuting vehicles in Dhaka. The number of such mode of communication is more frequent than the buses, especially during 6pm to 8pm. Prof Nazrul Islam of Center for Urban Studies, Dhaka said minimizing the private-owned vehicles is the only way to get rid of congestion problem in Dhaka.
He also blamed Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) for "less monitoring". If the organization do not intensify its activities, Dhaka would see extremely serious traffic mess in upcoming days. In the meantime, urban transport expert Prof Shamsul Hoque stressed on improving the public transportation system. He opined that constructing flyover without proper planning has been prompting gridlocks. "One of the reasons for the economic under-performance is the urban congestion which constrains local productivity," he commented.
The International Growth Centre (IGC) recorded 32,000 vehicles commuted through those three points on data collection day. A publication of IGC has suggested that the most trafficked areas are New Airport Road, Mohakhali, Farmgate, the main arteries of the city. The research said that twelve points of the capital face comparatively heavy traffic pressure. The points are Gabtoli, Science Lab, Airport Road, Kuril Road, Gulshan 2, Mohakhali, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Kakrail, Zero Point, Buriganga Bridge and Postogola Bridge.
Moreover, the organization counted nearly 20,000 vehicles commuting through Kuril, Gulshan-2 and Science Lab intersection. On the other hand, Gabtoli and Kakrail had 10,000 autos while some 8,000-10,000 vehicles crossed Karwan Bazar, Zero Point and Postogola Bridge. In 2014, IGC said that a total of 7 lakh 80 thousand vehicles commute in the capital. Besides, BRTA said more 2.42 lakh vehicles had been added till August last.
According to the IGC, Motijheel-Airport is the most important and populated route of the city. Dhaka has no alternatives parallel to the main road. Therefore, traffic jam in one point at the connecting roads prompts vehicle pressure at other places. "We have observed traffic congestions at vital spots of the capital," Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor said. "Our plan is to reshape the total public transport system of Dhaka. We are trying to introduce a total of 3,000 new buses and initiatives are on to build U-loops to ease the communication," he commented.
According to IGC traffic chart, traffic flow remains at its minimum around 2am, and increases steeply around 5am to 6am reaching the morning peak by 9am, decreases at 1-2 pm during lunch time, and increases again to reach its daily peak at 6 pm. The volume peaks during the two main commuting times, 9am and 6pm. Private cars are the top commuting vehicles in Dhaka. The number of such mode of communication is more frequent than the buses, especially during 6pm to 8pm. Prof Nazrul Islam of Center for Urban Studies, Dhaka said minimizing the private-owned vehicles is the only way to get rid of congestion problem in Dhaka.
He also blamed Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) for "less monitoring". If the organization do not intensify its activities, Dhaka would see extremely serious traffic mess in upcoming days. In the meantime, urban transport expert Prof Shamsul Hoque stressed on improving the public transportation system. He opined that constructing flyover without proper planning has been prompting gridlocks. "One of the reasons for the economic under-performance is the urban congestion which constrains local productivity," he commented.
