Experts call for coordinated efforts to fix Dhaka's traffic woes
They said while initiatives such as the Centralised Intelligent Traffic Management System (CITMS) are timely, their sustainable implementation requires clear policy decisions, research-based planning and strong accountability mechanisms.
To develop an effective traffic management system in the capital, involvement of urban planners, increasing the capacity of traffic police, better public-private coordination as well as greater public awareness and sense of responsibility are essential, according to experts and officials.
They also said while initiatives such as the Centralised Intelligent Traffic Management System (CITMS) are timely, their sustainable implementation requires clear policy decisions, research-based planning and strong accountability mechanisms.
The views came at a seminar titled "Advancing Traffic Management through Signal Control: Operation, Planning and Policy Perspectives", organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) yesterday (15 September) at its conference room.
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The event was chaired by BIP President Professor Dr Adil Muhammad Khan and moderated by its General Secretary Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan.
Presenting the keynote paper, Traffix founder Md Ashraful Alum Ratan, Sigmind co-founder Abu Anas Shuvom, and Transport Professionals Alliance CEO Dr Mohammad Nurul Hasan shared lessons and recommendations from the pilot implementation of CITMS at Gulshan-1.
Faruk Ahmed, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), emphasised the need to strengthen the capacity of traffic police to ensure effective law enforcement alongside improved traffic management.
"If key decision-making components of traffic control can be integrated into the CITMS system, it will make traffic management much more effective and efficient at both local and national levels," he said.
Nilima Akhter, executive director (additional secretary) of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), highlighted the importance of citizens' awareness and sense of responsibility alongside government initiatives.
"Any problem can be solved if people develop a culture of accountability and responsibility. For effective traffic management, we also need clarity of responsibilities, and adequate financing and maintenance," she said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Abu Sufian Ahmed called for stronger engagement from professional bodies such as BIP in the planning aspects of traffic management.
"With cooperation from all stakeholders, DMP will be able to build an improved traffic management system in Dhaka," he said.
Also present at the seminar were BIP Treasurer Dr Mosleh Uddin Hasan, board members Abu Nayeem Sohag and Md Fahim Abedin, as well as citizens and professionals from various fields.
