Dhaka's traffic mess

Dhaka's insufferable traffic system, a major problem for the city, remains in a shambles—as detailed in a report published by this paper yesterday—in spite of several steps taken by the government. One of the reasons why the problem persists is that we have approached it in a fragmented manner. While the recently launched "Traffic Week" campaign has managed to bring some changes in terms of enforcing traffic laws, roads cannot be administered on a temporary basis; it must be a permanent affair.

In order to bring a long-lasting solution to what has been an intractable problem so far, the government should take a comprehensive and holistic approach. We feel that there are two aspects to this issue: infrastructural and systematic. The first one covers the road system and roadworthy vehicles, while the latter includes the traffic management system, issuance of licenses and other documents, enforcement of laws, etc.

To start with, the government should set up an inter-ministerial committee which should itemise the problems under short, medium and long-term categories. And appropriate remedial measures should be devised thereafter, conforming to the categories, and work should be initiated accordingly with a well-defined timeframe for actions. Of course, the public should be kept in the loop all the while, and the actions and efforts must be tangible.

Admittedly, bringing order on the roads and highways is a long-drawn affair. Therefore, as an immediate measure, the government should instruct the bus owners and drivers to exercise maximum caution while plying their transports to reduce the risk of accidents.