Dhaka turned into a slum

Jatiya Party lawmaker Pir Fazlur Rahman yesterday expressed outrage over horrific tailbacks, air and noise pollution in the capital.

Speaking on a point of order in parliament, he said people are stuck in traffic jams for hours every day.

For this, people are affected financially and their ability to work is decreasing, the lawmaker said.  

"We have turned the Dhaka city into a slum through unplanned development. If this situation continues, Dhaka will be a dysfunctional or become a failed city," said Fazlur.

He said Dhaka has become the worst city in terms of noise pollution and air pollution.

"There is no guarantee for the Dhaka city commuters that they will be able to reach their destinations by noon even if they start in the morning," the lawmaker said.

Citing a report of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, he said traffic congestion in Dhaka city is causing 2.5 percent loss of gross domestic product per annum, amounting to Tk 87,000 crore.

He said there is no coordination in development work. One organisation constructs a road and in a few days another digs it.

The lawmaker demanded appropriate steps, including decentralisation of the administration, to resolve the situation.