Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City and its Economic Impact

Amit Banik

Amit Banik

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is notorious for its traffic congestion. With a population of over 20 million people, the city has seen rapid urbanization and an increase in the number of vehicles on the road. As a result, the city's streets are often gridlocked, making it difficult for commuters to get around and causing significant economic and environmental problems. One of the primary causes of traffic congestion in Dhaka is the inadequate road infrastructure. The city has a limited number of roads, which are often narrow and poorly maintained. The roads also lack proper traffic signals, and there are few dedicated lanes for public transport, resulting in vehicles competing for space on the roads. Another significant contributor to traffic congestion is the rapid growth of the private vehicle sector. With a rising middle class, more people are purchasing cars and motorcycles, leading to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road. the city's infrastructure has not kept pace with this growth, leading to traffic congestion and long travel times.

The lack of an effective public transportation system is also a significant cause of traffic

congestion. Dhaka has a limited metro rail system, and the bus system is poorly organized and unreliable. Many people who cannot afford private transport use rickshaws or walk, leading to overcrowding on the roads. Traffic congestion in Dhaka has significant economic implications.

Long commutes lead to lost productivity, higher fuel consumption, and increased transportation costs. The congestion also increases the time it takes to transport goods, leading to higher costs for businesses.

The environmental impact of traffic congestion is also severe. The high number of vehicles on the road leads to increased air pollution, which can have a significant impact on public health.

The congestion also results in higher fuel consumption, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. To address the problem of traffic congestion in Dhaka, several measures have been proposed. These include the development of a comprehensive public transportation system, the implementation of dedicated lanes for buses and other public transport vehicles, the improvement of road infrastructure, and the promotion of carpooling and other forms of sustainable transportation.

All the megacities in the world suffer from traffic jams at certain hours of the day. But what we have in Dhaka is not a traffic jam; it is total traffic chaos and mismanagement. In recent times, the government has taken some positive steps, such as widening the roads, expanding footpaths, and building flyovers and overpasses, but yet there has been no improvement in the traffic situation. Cities are the main engines of our economic growth. Even though Dhaka is only one percent of the country's total area, its contribution to GDP is 36 percent, and it has created 44 percent of the country’s total employment. Considering the economic potential of Dhaka, its existing traffic situation and also possible solutions needs review.

Many of us break the law in full knowledge of its existence, and many don’t even realize that they are doing something terribly wrong. This is a social problem and needs to be addressed accordingly. The government, with the help of social organizations, can undertake a project to create necessary awareness by teaching ethical driving, road crossing, traffic management with audio-visual displays, images, etc. The electronic media can play a huge role in raising awareness by showing short documentaries on the subject. All this should be part of a long-term project and not just an eye-wash during Traffic Week. Experts say the traffic congestion may be reduced by 40 percent just by improving traffic management and public awareness.

Finally, traffic congestion is a severe problem in Dhaka, with significant economic and

environmental implications. Addressing the problem will require a concerted effort from both the government and the public. By investing in public transportation, improving road infrastructure, and promoting sustainable transportation, it is possible to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka and improve the quality of life for its residents.

(Writer Amit Banik is a freelance journalist and columnist.)