New law to restrict use of pvt cars
Says Mayor Annisul
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said a draft of the Road Transport Act-2016 with a provision for imposing control over the use of cars would be placed before the cabinet soon.
“Law breakers will face severe punishment,” he said, adding that after getting the nod from the cabinet, the act would be placed in parliament.
“There are plenty of laws in Bangladesh but no one abides by the laws,” he said while addressing a programme on World Car-Free Day in the capital.
The minister once again criticised VIPs for driving their cars against traffic. “It's not right … and I'm saying this for public interest,” said Quader.
Forty-four organisations, including Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), jointly organised the programme on Manik Mia Avenue.
Speaking at the programme, Mayor Annisul Huq said Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in March next year will declare two streets in the capital off limits to cars “to ease congestion and pollution”.
“We've planned for two roads. One in Mirpur-Mohammadpur area and another in Gulshan-Banani area … no matter how small the roads are, they will be declared car free next March.”
The car-free street in Mirpur-Mohammadpur area was yet to be fixed but the DNCC is considering declaring a street near Banani market off limits to cars, he added.
Holding overpopulation responsible for congestion and pollution in the capital, the DNCC mayor said, “Eleven lakh vehicles use the streets in the capital, which has the capacity for three lakh. How will you solve traffic jam problem? How do I save my city from pollution?”
Many countries have declared streets car-free to ease pollution and congestion, he said, adding that keeping some city streets car-free is possible in Bangladesh too.
Yesterday, a portion of the Manik Mia Avenue was closed and temporarily made car-free.