A shot of the Sonargaon intersection on the Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in the city where vehicles mostly stand still in queues due to congestion and burn fuel.Photo: STAR

The stretch of the VIP road from Shahbagh to Jahangir Gate has apparently lost its status taking into account the persisting traffic congestion on the thoroughfare all day long.
The road, also known as Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, is free from slow-moving vehicles, but congestion has become a regular phenomenon here.
Traffic policemen say six roads crossing the around-four-kilometre road play a vital role behind the gridlock on the busy thoroughfare that always experiences heavy rush of traffic.
Stopping passenger buses on the road at Bangla Motor and Farmgate instead of bus bays violating rules and jaywalking of pedestrians also slow down vehicular movement.
In an attempt to ease the traffic movement, traffic sergeants halt traffic of other roads that cross the avenue at Shahbagh, Sheraton Hotel, Bangla Motor, Sonargaon Hotel, Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani for five to even 10 minutes during rush hours. But the move comes to little help and leads to long tailbacks on those roads instead.
"The situation sometimes turns so severe that it takes at least two hours to cross the four-kilometre stretch during rush hours," says Gulshan-Motijheel route bus conductor Abul Kalam.
As traffic remains standstill on the road for quite a long time during rush hours, adjoining Eskaton, Karwan Bazar, Panthapath, Rajabazar and Farmgate areas witness severe traffic jam that eats up huge work-hour and fuel.
Of these roads, Panthapath is the worst sufferer as a large number of vehicles park in front of shopping malls, hospitals, business centres and furniture shops on both sides of the road.
During a visit to Panthapath, many vehicles were seen parked even in double lines on the road particularly in front of Bashundhara City Shopping Mall, Firoz Tower, Samarita Hospital and Squire Hospital.
General Manager (Admin and Security) of Bashundhara City Shopping Mall Maj (retd) Mehedi said they have parking space for 1,200 vehicles in two underground basements. But during holidays and before the occasions like Eid the parking space seems not enough, he added.
In a situation like that, they sometimes close the car park and a large number of vehicles stay on the road making a long queue up to Russell Square, he said.
Many other buildings and shops on both sides of Panthapath even don't have required car park. People visiting those establishments park their vehicles on the road barring vehicular movement.
Traffic sergeant Ziaul Haider said they often fine the drivers parking on the roads. "When we fine one or two drivers, the rest drive away and as soon as we leave the area, they return."
"It is like playing hide and seek which is going on for long and will continue until enough parking facilities are ensured," the sergeant observed.
Though there are enough roads inside Karwan Bazar, those are mostly occupied by parked cars, goods of traders and rickshaw-vans.
Most of the time these roads are so badly occupied that it is hard to believe that those are meant for vehicular movement. For reasons unknown police are always seen inactive to clear the roads.
If the Karwan Bazar roads are made free, many vehicles taking left turn at Saarc Fountain intersection may use those easing pressure on the intersection, traffic constable Badiur Rahman said.
Residents of Eskaton also face the burnt of clogging traffic resulted from long time halt of vehicular movement at Bangla Motor signal. Mohammad Salahuddin told The Daily Star during rush hours all alleys and roads also remain blocked with rickshaws.
"Rickshaw-pullers charge Tk 20 for a distance for which they usually take Tk 5 during off-peak hours as the parents must take their children to schools in time," he said.
Traffic inspector Amal Gomez said signals at the six crossings were not installed considering the flow of traffic and they have to manually control the vehicular movement.
"Half an hour in the morning and after 10:00 at night the signals operate automatically. The rest of the time we manually operate those to maintain the tailbacks," he said.
As a large number of vehicles coming from Mohakhali take right turn at Bijoy Sarani intersection, construction of an overpass can ease the traffic congestion to a great deal, he observed.
Pointing to the traffic island at the end of the road heading from the aeroplane crossing, a traffic sergeant said if it can be narrowed, more vehicles could pass in another line.
"Our authorities have repeatedly requested Dhaka City Corporation to that end in vain," the sergeant added.
The most severe traffic congestion is created on a stretch between Bijoy Sarani and Mohakhali during rush hours when tailbacks sometimes cross the Mohakhali flyover.