8 crore sqft needed just for cars: study

The key to resolving Dhaka's traffic chaos lies in bringing down the number of cars on the streets, said speakers at a discussion yesterday, citing a study that says the number of cars in Dhaka city would require a staggering 8 crore square feet of parking space.

They also urged the government to take necessary steps to reduce dependency on private cars and taking measures to encourage walking, cycling, using non-motorised vehicles and public transport.

The programme was jointly organised by Institute of Wellbeing Bangladesh and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, to unveil a publication titled "Parking, realistic planning and management."

According to July 2019 statistics of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), a total of 3,30,968 private cars were registered for Dhaka city. For these cars, 8 crore square feet parking space is required, said city planning expert Muntasir Mamun while presenting the keynote.

With this land, it is possible to develop employment opportunities for 26 lakh people, or habitation facilities for 53 lakh people, or playground or other mass transit facilities for 5 crore people, he added.

Muntasir said on an average, 62 percent space of Mirpur Road, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue and Satmasjid Road are being occupied by private cars, where it carries passengers on only 23 percent.

Suggesting amendment to the existing building construction rules, Muntasir said there is a provision in the building construction rules-2008 where keeping parking area is mandatory. It is indirectly encouraging people to buy cars, he observed.

Muntasir also said the Strategic Transport Plan 2005 recommended a "pedestrian first" policy, but costly projects like flyovers have been taken, ignoring walkways.

Only five percent people of Dhaka city have private cars, but all planning of the government is being taken to facilitate this small fraction, he added.

Muntasir suggested to take necessary steps to control private cars and taking effective measures to develop environment-friendly and safe transportation system.

"It is very important to stop bank loan facilities to purchase private cars, to discourage people," said lawmaker of Gaibandha-1 Shamim Haidar Patowari, while speaking as chief guest.

He said it is very important to prepare a masterplan prioritising bicycle lanes and footpaths.

Stressing the need to increasing walkways, Maruf Hossain, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said if the government can ensure good environment for walking, the number of private cars will be reduced.

Adil Mohammad Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners, said planning will have to be taken based on the reality of Dhaka city.

"Fruitful result will not come if we do our planning following other megacities of the world," he said, adding that authorities in Singapore have already stopped giving new registration for private cars.

Speakers also suggested to stop all kinds of parking on roads, taking traffic congestion fees from private cars for running vehicles on busy roads and not providing on-street parking facilities in busy areas.

They also suggested to arrange facilities for commuting to offices and educational institutes on foot and through bicycle, and imposing high tax on those who have more than one car.