Experts at a roundtable focused on the need for establishing commercial multi-storied car parking systems as well as adopting modern technology to reduce traffic congestion in the country.
They also called for introducing articles on traffic rules in academic curriculum, decentralisation of various activities from the capital, and creating public awareness in this regard.
The suggestions were made at a roundtable -- 'Effective traffic management system in Bangladesh: A catalyst for inclusive growth of the country' -- organised by Daffodil International University (DIU) at its city campus on Sunday.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the programme as the chief guest.
Executive Director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) Khandakar Rakibur Rahman, and Director General of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Ali Ahmed Khan attended the inaugural ceremony, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Obaidul Quader said many discussions on traffic management have been organised in the country, but the scenario has not improved that much.
"Owing to various reasons, the traffic management scenario has improved a little."
He identified people's tendency not to obey traffic rules and lack of coordination among the agencies concerned as the key reasons for the situation.
"Engineering is not a major issue for proper traffic management system, but our attitude is."
Even many VIPs do not bother to make their way through wrong side, he added.
Chairman of DIU Board of Trustees (BoT) Md Sabur Khan presented a keynote paper at the inaugural session.
Mentioning the success stories of several countries in traffic management, Sabur Khan said adequate multi-storied car parking systems can help reduce congestion in the capital.
Such parking facilities might also be a good source of earning for the government, he also said.
"The government can operate the programme by Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative."
He also introduced an online forum -- 'traffic.daffodil.family' -- on traffic management issues.
The online forum aims at preserving recommendations and research findings of various stakeholders at one place, he added.
After the inaugural session, Professor Md Shamsul Hoque of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) moderated a discussion, in which representatives from various government agencies and non-government organisations took part.
Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan said Bangladesh's city areas, including Dhaka, have been developed without proper planning, which overlooked the issue of tackling emergency situations like fire incidence.
"Rescue men often get stuck in heavy traffic or cannot reach the spot due to narrow streets in case of emergency."
He underscored the need for decentralising various activities from the capital, creating satellite cities and establishing multi-storied car parking to reduce pressure.
Other points made by the discussants include infrastructure development under Public-Private Partnership (PPP), modernisation of refuelling pumps, and keeping suitable walkways for pedestrians.
They also called for operating public transportation system by single agencies, and approving building code on condition of ensuring enough parking spaces.
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