Different government agencies have continued building road infrastructures and high-rise structures without approval from the authorities concerned, further deteriorating the traffic congestion in the city and adjacent areas.
Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has identified a good number of such projects, either constructed or under construction, in and around Dhaka city which did not have approval as per the DTCA Act 2012.
The government agencies that have been taking care of such projects for the last few years are: Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkhya (Rajuk), Public Works Department (PWD), National Housing Authority, Bangladesh Bridge Authority, and Roads and Highways Department (RHD), among others.
The infrastructures include: 300 feet road from Madani Avenue to Sylhet Highway and 100 feet canal development on both sides of Kuril-Purbachal road, upgradation of the road from Mirpur DOHS gate-2 to Mirpur 12, subway feasibility study and preliminary design and upgradation of Hatirjheel-Shekherjaiga-Amulia-Demra road.
According to the DTCA Act, all agencies need to get approval or inform DTCA before undertaking any project involving road transport, in Dhaka and five districts- Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Narsingdi and Gazipur - surrounding the capital.
In the case of high-rise buildings, the traffic impact assessment (TIA) clearance is a must for the agencies before getting the plans approved.
On July 04, 2014, a directive from the prime minister also asked all the parties concerned to ensure that no such road infrastructure projects were taken within DTCA areas without its consent and approval.
Sources said the DTCA had brought the issue to its board meetings several times, but to no avail.
Even in the 14th board meeting, attended by Rajuk chairman, heads and representatives of other government bodies, the agencies concerned were instructed to take necessary measures in this regard, the sources further said.
"But none of these agencies have taken approval or submitted their papers yet," said a source.
However, sources said, the same agencies had earlier taken DTCA approval and TIA clearance in implementing some other projects, like ECB-Mirpur road upgradation and Kalshi flyover construction, underpass at Dhaka-Airport, sewerage and footpath development in Gazipur.
Members of the DTCA board, chaired by the road transport and bridges minister, include heads of related public offices and agencies, mayors of two city corporations of Dhaka, among others.
Officials said approval was needed to ensure integration in the road network for removing all conflicts with future road infrastructure projects aiming at easing traffic congestion.
It is unfortunate that the government agencies are not abiding by the rules, they added.
DTCA found four high-rise buildings, either constructed or being constructed, each by Rajuk and PWD, have already left a traffic impact in the respective areas.
NHA is constructing 10 14-storey buildings with 1,040 flats in Mirpur 9, five high-rise buildings with 520 flats for government and semi-government employees at Mirpur-15, 15 15-storey buildings with 900 flats in Mohammadpur Housing Estate and on Mirpur Kalshi road.
PWD is also developing 288 flats at Jhigatola, 608 flats at Mirpur Paikpara, 288 flats at Mirpur-6 and 1,068 flats at Kather Karkhana in Mirpur.
All these high-rise buildings will severely leave an impact on the four-lane road capacity, but its impact can be managed through traffic calculation - an initiative that has not been taken by the agencies concerned, said DTCA officials.
On other hand, TIA helps manage growing traffic on the road, they said.
It is learnt that DTCA informed the housing and public works ministry and the Housing Directorate and NHA on the issue of traffic circulation in a letter dated on November 25, 2019.
It is also found that Rajuk, which was used to take traffic circulation before approval of all high-rise buildings, suddenly stopped.
Though the DTCA Act bestows a responsibility on DTCA on traffic management, integration, and policy and planning, it does not empower DTCA to take actions on violations of the rule.
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