True Beauty Is True Sadness

                                Traffic Jam Problem in Dhaka 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Dhaka, the vibrant capital city of Bangladesh, exudes a unique blend of tradition and modernity and is known for its diverse population, and rapid urbanization. However, the roads of Dhaka are also known for the notorious traffic jam problem.As one of the most densely populated cities in the world, Dhaka grapples with crippling traffic congestion, which not only affects the quality of life for its citizens but also hampers economic growth and development. In this blog, we will delve into the root causes and potential solutions to the ever-persistent traffic jam problem in Dhaka. 

One of the primary reasons behind Dhaka's traffic problem is the unprecedented population growth. With an increasing number of people migrating to the city in search of better opportunities, the urban infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the demand for transportation and housing. According to World Bank approximately 3, 00,000 to 4, 00,000 people migrate to Dhaka each year. If population pressures cannot be controlled now, then the unplanned city may face serious threat having traffic jam as one of the main fence for people to live healthy and happy life.Added to that, the surge in the number of private vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws, has intensified traffic congestion in Dhaka. The lack of proper public transportation alternatives has encouraged people to rely on private vehicles, exacerbating the traffic jam problem.In the morning ,people start for their office and for the lack of alternative transportation system ,they can not but start going by local bus.Thus,traffic jam occurs in a very messy way for this over pressure of the office going individuals.

Dhaka's public transportation system is underdeveloped and insufficient to cater to the city's massive population. The limited availability and poor quality of buses, along with inadequate route planning, discourage people from using public transport, further contributing to traffic congestion. Reckless driving, disregarding traffic rules, and lack of traffic law enforcement contribute significantly to the traffic congestion. Indiscipline on the roads and widespread disregard for pedestrian rights create an environment ripe for traffic accidents and jams. On a sunday morning I was coming to my univeristy in a local bus.The bus driver was driving very recklessly. I along with all the passengers advised him not to do so but he didn’t pay heed to us.As a result ,after sometimes , the driver hit another vehicle because he couldn’t apply brake properly for overspeed. If the driver would drived carefully the accident would  not happened.After that,two traffic police came to the spot.The traffic police should take the driver as well as seize the bus according to traffic law.But the traffic police men didn’t do so.Rather they took the driver in a corner and after 5 minitues they set him free by taking some bribes.Here ,if the laws would have been followed ,the driver would definitely learn a lesson and would not have dared to do this kind of act again. 

The traffic jam problem in Dhaka has far-reaching consequences on various aspects of daily life and the city's overall development.One of the major consequences of traffic jam is road accident. A latest file from the Road Safety Foundation found out that withinside the remaining month alone, 589 fatalities and 647 accidents came about in 458 street injuries, ensuing in a mean of nineteen deaths according to day. Bikes had been responsible for 22% of those injuries, locally-made three-wheelers had been responsible for 16.12% of crashes. These facts spotlight the want for higher law and enforcement. In Dhaka, there are presently 18.10 lakh registered cars, with buses accounting for 2.08% (37,593 cars) and minibuses accounting for 0.55% (9,891 cars). According to information from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), 914,817 bikes (50.fifty three percent) and 317,509 non-public motors (17.fifty four percent) were registered. Nur Mohammad Mazumder, the Chairperson of BRTA, defined that humans are shopping for greater non-public motors because of their advanced economic situations and clean admission to financial institution loans. It is recommended that factories and generators must now no longer be positioned in Dhaka. He said that there must be available public transportation presented to all faculties and colleges, and it's obligatory for all college students to wait for instructional establishments of their localities.Another massive result is the reduction of proper vehicle speed. According to a World Bank report, in the last 10 years, the average traffic speed in Dhaka has dropped from 21 kilometres per hour (kmph) to 7 kmph, and by 2035, the speed might drop to 4kmph, which is slower than the walking speed. Another study, commissioned by Brac Institute of Government and Development, says traffic congestion in Dhaka eats up around 5 million working hours every day and costs the country USD 11.4 billion every year. The financial loss is a calculation of the cost of time lost in traffic congestion and the money spent on operating vehicles for the extra hours.(The Daily Star :- https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/society/traffic-jam-the-ugly-side-dhakas-development-1575355). I can feel this report beacause I am familiar to a this type of situation. One day I was I was going with my uncle by this personal vehicle for joining an important meeting as my uncle is a bussinessman. We were committed to be present in the meeting at sharp 09.00 AM. The meeting was decided to be held in Savar area.This was a very important meeting for my uncle’s factory . We started at 07.30 from Uttora 01 no sector. Normally it takes 1 hour to reach Savar from Uttora. We was moving at a standard speed.But after coming to Abdullahpur we were stucked in a traffic jam.The jam covered almost 1.5 km roads.We remained stucked in the traffic jam for a long time.As a result, we reached the meeting after 1 hour of delay.When we arrived there , we saw that the team with whom my uncle was going to make a bussness deal left the meeting.Thus , my uncle had a great economical loss only for the traffic jam.

(The Business Inspection:- https://businessinspection.com.bd/economic-impact-of-traffic-jam-in-bd/) 

Traffic congestion leads to increased emissions of harmful pollutants, including greenhouse gases, contributing to air pollution and environmental degradation. This has adverse effects on public health and the city's overall sustainability. Prolonged exposure to traffic jams also increses stress and anxiety among commuters, leading to various health issues such as hypertension and respiratory problems.Whenever I stuck in a traffic jam ,I observe that the senior citizen feel very imbalanced physical and mental change.They gets mentally disturbed for the high horns and black smoke which is like a hell a stucked traffic jam.People who are suffering from many serious diseases suffers most in a traffic jam.One day,in a traffic jam occurred in Banani intersection,an old woman suddenly got senseless. I along with some others passengers went to her and took her to the nearest hospital .After checking her physical health ,the doctor confirmed us that she became senseless because she couldn’t endure the pressure of high stress which was caused by execessive volume of horn due to traffic jam beacause she was a heart patient.The woman could be dead on that day if she would not have been taken to hospital.Thus noise pollution as a result of traffic jam hampers the mental and physical health. The level of noise pollution due to traffic jam is gradually increasing day by day.According to a report, for Dhaka city this volume of noise pollution is quite more as roads are very narrow and traffic jam is a common phenomenon in regular lifestyle of city people. Although for residential area day time highest noise level standard is 50 dB but still now no steps have been taking from the authority on this problem. Road noise has also been reported as a global public health issue by the World Health Organization. The number of impulsive noise (noise that lasts for a brief period) has risen by 10% to 12%. According to a survey performed in November and December last year.(American Journal for Traffic and Transportation Engineering:- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351993342_Evaluation_of_Traffic_Accessibility_Condition_and_Noise_Pollution_in_Dhaka_City_of_Bangladesh  ) 

In my perspective, Dhaka urgently needs an efficient and well-connected public transportation system. Investing in modern buses, expanding the metro rail network, and integrating various modes of public transport can encourage people to switch from private vehicles. Long-term urban planning and investment in well-designed road networks and infrastructure are essential to ease traffic congestion. Building flyovers, underpasses, and alternative routes can also help distribute traffic flow more effectively. We can also promote walking, cycling, and rickshaw travelling for shorter distances can reduce the dependency on motorized vehicles and alleviate traffic congestion in certain areas. We must make sure the implimentation of strict enforcement of traffic rules and intelligent traffic management systems which will bring discipline to the roads and reduce traffic jams. 

The traffic jam problem in Dhaka is undeniably a complex and multi-faceted issue that requires a holistic approach and concerted efforts from the government, urban planners, citizens, and other stakeholders. By implementing well-thought-out urban planning, investing in improved public transportation, and promoting sustainable alternatives to private vehicles, Dhaka can pave the way for a more efficient and livable city. Solving the traffic jam problem is not an overnight task, but with collective determination and commitment, Dhaka can stride towards a future with smoother traffic flow and enhanced quality of life for its residents.  

Written by:-

Md Masud Bin Faruk

Depertment of Computer Science and Engineering

Brac University