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Crippling traffic jams in Ramadan

29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 | Update: 28 Mar 2023 22:42:15
Crippling traffic jams in Ramadan

Dhaka, the megacity, is notorious for its traffic congestion, which causes immense suffering to city-dwellers throughout the year. However, during the month of Ramadan, traffic congestion in Dhaka reaches an unprecedented level, adding to the already difficult situation for commuters and businesses.

According to several media reports, commuters have suffered unbearable traffic congestion from the first working day of the holy month of Ramadan.

Office-goers had to endure long tailbacks at traffic signals and gridlocks on several highways. Compared to earlier days, there was heavy traffic on almost all the major roads in the capital.

The ongoing development works of two city corporations of Dhaka and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority in different parts of the city areas aggravated the situation. Commuters expressed their dissatisfaction with not being able to reach the office on time. Commoners fear that the situation will get worse when people start shopping for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Meanwhile, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions started to follow the new timing set by the government for the month of Ramadan from Monday. According to the new schedule, office hours would start at 9:00am and end at 3:30pm.

There are widespread allegations of inefficiency among traffic department personnel. A senior DMP officer (Traffic) has identified three causes for the unexpected traffic congestion–Firstly, traffic congestion has increased due to reduced office hours during the month of Ramadan, and the full 12-hour pressure has now been reduced to 8 hours. Secondly, digging and repair works on different crucial roads of the city also accelerate the situation. And thirdly, the spillover effect of rash driving, during office hours at areas like Gulshan and Uttara, slows down the traffic in other parts of the city.

However, the month of Ramadan is a time of fasting and religious observance for the Muslim community. The timing of activities such as work, school, and shopping changes during this period, leading to a shift in the traffic patterns of the city.

The impact of traffic congestion during Ramadan on the people of Dhaka is immense. Commuters are stuck in traffic jams for hours, causing delays and cancellations of important tasks and meetings. People have to leave their homes earlier than usual and spend long hours on the road to reach their destination. The long hours spent in traffic congestion lead to stress and frustration among commuters, affecting their mental and physical health.

The causes of traffic congestion during Ramadan are multifaceted. The lack of proper public transportation infrastructure also exacerbates the problem, leading to more people opting to use private vehicles. Additionally, the city’s road network is inadequate to handle the growing number of vehicles, leading to bottlenecks and traffic snarls.

The government must take urgent action to address the problem of traffic congestion in Dhaka during Ramadan. The government should work to improve the public transportation system, such as introducing more buses, trains, and rickshaws. The government should implement policies to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road. Additionally, the city’s road network should be expanded and upgraded to handle the growing traffic demand.

A solution is to encourage more people to use bicycles as a mode of transportation. Bicycles are a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation that can help reduce traffic congestion in the city. The government can provide incentives to people who use bicycles, such as dedicated bicycle lanes and secure bicycle parking facilities. The construction of flyovers, overpasses, and underpasses can help ease traffic congestion in Dhaka.

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