Reducing traffic congestion

Photo: Driknews/ Palash Khan

THE Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that her government planned to construct elevated and underground railways, flyovers, orbital waterways and circular roads around the capital to ease traffic congestion and solve the transport problem.
Understandably, this is a very ambitious and time-consuming program, some aspects of which may not be implemented during the tenure of the present government. In this regard, a few suggestions are put forth here that can be implemented within a minimum time frame, at an efficient cost with the country's own resources, and during the tenure of the government.
-Circular waterway: A waterway is the cheapest means of communication and should be given top priority. In the present proposed waterway system (30km), some difficulties may be encountered because some low-height bridges were constructed earlier, under which, during the high water level, vessels cannot cross, and loaded vessels cannot ply during the low water level because of the low depth of water in the river. For these reasons, the proposed waterway is about to be abandoned. These problems can be solved in the following ways:
(a) With the modification of one end span of the existing concrete bridges with a steel drawbridge (Bascule Bridge) which will open for river traffic and close for road traffic. Examples of such bridges are available in Rotterdam (Holland), Sweden, Paris and Moscow. For this design, steel parts for these bridges can be fabricated locally.
(b) The problem of low water level can be solved by dredging the channel across the steel drawbridge and protecting the eroding banks to maintain a stable navigable channel around the year. An alternative solution for this problem is to construct navigable locks at appropriate locations to retain monsoon high water level during the low water stage to help uninterrupted movement of both passenger launches and cargo vessels. Examples of such locks are available in many countries. The required steel gates can be fabricated locally.
(c) The government has already ordered that the river must be kept clean of industrial effluents and garbage. This should be strictly implemented.
(d) The government desires that beautification of the river banks should be ensured with construction of walkways and planting of beautiful trees to attract both tourists and local inhabitants.
-Railway: Railway is the cheapest communication means next to waterway. So this should be expanded and utilised through all possible means. In this regard the following suggestions may be helpful:
(a) The existing single rail line passing through the metropolitan city and terminating at Narayanganj should be converted immediately into a double line, which would allow two-way travel. The number of trains should be increased to ensure availability of transportation at an interval of 15 minutes with 3-minute stopping time. The number of stoppages should be increased to enable traveling passengers to get a train within walking distance. At appropriate locations, underpasses should be constructed to enable passengers to cross the line to catch trains headed to their desired destination.
(b) While the engines will have to be imported, passenger carriages can be manufactured locally.
(c) Feeder roads should be constructed to enable people to catch trains easily from any location.
(d) A circular rail line along the periphery of the metropolitan city can also be constructed in the same manner. Needless to say, the construction of a rail line and its maintenance is much cheaper than the construction of metalled roads and their maintenance.
(e) Underpasses should be constructed under the existing rail crossings that are adding to the congestion problem.
(f) The same rail line will also be used to carry goods wagons to their destination siding line for loading and unloading, and thus, will not cause interference to the passenger trains.
(g) The above plan, if implemented quickly, will relieve the present situation. Also, it will not pose any problems for the proposed construction of any elevated railways, express highways, etc.
(h) With one engine pulling many wagons, fuel cost will be saved, and the air pollution problem will be reduced.
-Public transport: An adequate number of large-capacity city buses should be provided, instead of using small vehicles that contribute to the traffic congestion problem.
It will be appreciated if the government of Bangladesh seriously considers the above suggestions for the greater interest of the country.

Moazzem Hossain Khan is a former member, BWDB.