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New bus routes and traffic jam

September 05, 2008 00:00:00


As traffic jams in the city has been taking a serious turn, the traffic authorities have gone for rearrangement of a number of bus routes. It is, indeed, a good move. But the commitment of the traffic personnel toward implementing this decision is important. The move should not be just for the month of Ramadan. We need a durable and sustainable traffic arrangement.brRearrangement of bus route is one solution, but one thing that we do not understand relates to why the traffic sergeants and constables posted on the roads cannot stop random stopping of buses. We see regularly such vehicles coming to a stop nearly in the middle of the road, thus forcing other vehicles to a sudden, risky stop. This is done in order to pick up new passengers. This is a serious type of traffic indiscipline that the authorities need to focus on. Sometimes the police themselves also force vehicles to a stop in the middle of the road to check their papers. brStrict enforcement of the rules of the road will compel the buses to park at regular stops. Such stops are also seen occupied by vendors and hawkers, leaving hardly any space for the passengers to wait. There also many vehicles which are too old, not in good conditions to ply. These should be removed. These vehicles are also responsible for pollution. brNot only buses, the slow-moving vehicles, especially rickshaws, should be gradually withdrawn from the city. Alternative arrangements should certainly be made. Nearly 100,000 licences have been issued for the plying of rickshaws in Dhaka city, but the reality is that no fewer than 5,00,000 rickshaws ply on the roads. So there are loopholes. A comprehensive strategic planning and its implementation are required at the earliest.brAhmed AlibrDhanmandi RAbrDhaka

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