Dhaka’s long-standing issue of traffic congestion is a well-known fact. While the standard recommendation is to allocate 25 percent of space for roads in big cities, Dhaka falls significantly short at only nine percent. Unfortunately, this limited space is poorly designed and maintained, often overrun by hawkers, illegal parking, unattended garbage, and temporary food stalls. Research from the World Bank and BUET reveals a drastic decline in traffic speed in the capital city, plummeting from 21 kmph in 2007 to a mere 4.8 kmph in 2022—equivalent to the pace of an average walker. Dhaka stands out globally as a city where vehicular traffic crawls at the speed of pedestrians, amidst open sewage and numerous potholes.
Adding to the existing traffic woes are random mass demonstrations, further complicating the city’s transportation challenges. A recent report by Prothom Alo highlights that over a 90-day period from May 9 to August 6, main thoroughfares were obstructed by demonstrations on 36 days. Of the 54 instances of road blockages, political rallies accounted for 26, student protests for 13, job-seeker demonstrations for six, and miscellaneous reasons for nine. Demonstrators often select key locations like Shahbagh, Press Club, and Paltan to maximize disruption, banking on the theory that heightened chaos prompts quicker official responses, with little regard for public inconvenience.
The report underscores that daily traffic congestion in Dhaka results in a staggering waste of 82 lakh working hours, valued at Tk 139 crore per day in 2022. When extrapolated annually, the cumulative losses are substantial. Factor in the wastage of costly fuel, air pollution, and the adverse effects on public health and well-being. Consider the hardships faced by commuters—office workers, students, factory employees, hospital visitors, and emergency patients. When blockades from demonstrations compound the traffic strain, the impact on daily life becomes even more pronounced.
This critical issue demands immediate attention. As efforts for consensus-building span various sectors, it is proposed that all parties agree to refrain from obstructing city roads for rallies. Students could be encouraged to adopt a similar approach. The government could designate specific open areas for demonstrations while prohibiting gatherings in other locations. Furthermore, rallies should be restricted to weekends only. Prioritizing national interests, these proactive and cost-effective measures can be swiftly implemented by authorities. Failure to act promptly will only exacerbate the declining quality of life and productivity in Dhaka. As the election approaches, an upsurge in public assemblies is anticipated. Effective planning and preventive strategies are essential to alleviate the public’s suffering caused by road blockages.