It is not possible to make Dhaka a liveable city again unless a comprehensive plan is put in place to divert the large number of population influx to it, observed experts and city planners, reports UNB.
They proposed building alternative cities with facilities equal to that of capital Dhaka as well as relocating its industrial units, particularly the readymade garment (RMG) factories and tanneries, to reduce the population pressure the capital has been enduring for decades.
Besides, they stressed the implementation of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) as early as possible.
Talking to the news agency, local government expert Dr Tofail Ahmed said some major planning initiatives are needed to develop alternative cities outside Dhaka for making it liveable. "If the government can develop modern cities ensuring education, jobs, health service and civic amenities outside Dhaka, the pressure of population on the capital city will come down," he said.
More importantly, Dr Tofail said the nagging traffic congestions in the city cannot be eased without making its footpath suitable for pedestrians. "Only building a number of flyovers will not work."
The government should first free the footpaths from hawkers, illegal occupation and establishments, which will reduce 30 per cent pressure of transports on roads of the capital, the local government expert suggested.
He noted that only eight per cent of transports will use flyovers, while the percentage of commuters using the facility will stand at one per cent only. "So, there is no alternative to making the city's footpaths suitable for pedestrians."
Dr Tofail advocated for the relocation of RMG factories of the city elsewhere in close proximity to the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway saying that it will create jobs outside Dhaka city, too. Transportation costs and tailbacks on highways may come down as most of RMG products are exported through Chittagong seaport, he added.
About water accumulation in Dhaka city, Mr Tofail said if the natural canals could be recovered from illegal occupation, 50 per cent of water-logging of the capital will decrease automatically.
He also stressed the need for immediate implementation of the DAP for the proper development and management of lands in the city. "It's tough to save Dhaka as almost 10 per cent of the country's population is now cooped in the city," former chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam, who is also a city planner, told the news agency.
He observed that the political leadership as well as the administration are least bothered about the growing pressure of population on Dhaka. "Well-thought-out plans need to be taken to save Dhaka. Monitoring is also essentials to ensure proper implementation. Frequent changes in planning must be stopped," he said.
