Traffic jams get no priority
Monday, 9 November 2009
According to a workshop hosted by JICA and BUET, the residents of Dhaka commute approximately 23 million times a day - 40 per cent by rickshaw, 33 per cent by bus and 18 per cent walk, while 9.0 per cent by auto rickshaw, bi-cycle, motorcycle or private cars.
About 1,500 bus-owners operate 15,000 buses of different capacities in chaotic conditions. Of Dhaka's 2,500 kms of roads, only 250 kms are fit for public transport.
Out of 48,000 new motor vehicles added to the city a year only 3.0 per cent are buses and 89 per cent are private cars. The private cars occupy 97 per cent of the road surface for carrying about 1.0-2.0 per cent of the passengers.
Road accidents in 2007 caused 3,749 deaths costing the nation Tk 24 billion.
Solving the traffic congestion seems to be "no" priority of the government.
Sikander Ahmed
4C, H - 2&4, Rd - 1, Bl - B, Niketon, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212.
E-mail: faireen1978@yahoo.com
About 1,500 bus-owners operate 15,000 buses of different capacities in chaotic conditions. Of Dhaka's 2,500 kms of roads, only 250 kms are fit for public transport.
Out of 48,000 new motor vehicles added to the city a year only 3.0 per cent are buses and 89 per cent are private cars. The private cars occupy 97 per cent of the road surface for carrying about 1.0-2.0 per cent of the passengers.
Road accidents in 2007 caused 3,749 deaths costing the nation Tk 24 billion.
Solving the traffic congestion seems to be "no" priority of the government.
Sikander Ahmed
4C, H - 2&4, Rd - 1, Bl - B, Niketon, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212.
E-mail: faireen1978@yahoo.com