Dhaka's traffic jam: Committee places 11 proposals including canal renovation, waterway construction

The Dhaka Traffic Congestion Relief Committee made 11 proposals to the interim government to resolve traffic congestion in Dhaka, including renovation of canals to make waterways and building tram roads along the rivers.

The committee's president Ishak Dulal presented the proposals in a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka today.

Dulal said the proposals were also given to the government in 2010 to solve traffic congestion in Dhaka. 

"The then government did not take the initiative to implement the proposals, due to which traffic jams in the capital have become more pronounced," he added.

Other proposals include construction of a circular road around Dhaka, relocation of bus terminals within Dhaka, construction of overhead railway line from Kamalapur railway station to Tongi, dividing the prison and court buildings into two regions in Keraniganj and Kashimpur, and launching railways to districts at least 100 km away from Dhaka.

It was also proposed to free the footpaths and roads of Dhaka from hawkers, reorganise the traffic system through regular training of traffic police and drivers, and establish an urban transport system. 

In the national interest, instead of supplying gas to vehicles, except for CNG-run auto-rickshaws, it was also proposed to take the initiative to supply gas to the manufacturing sector.

"These proposals are implementable. What we need is goodwill. I call on the interim government to take initiatives to implement the proposals," Dulal said.

Committee Publicity Secretary Shahidul Islam, Adviser Jahurul Islam, Jalal Uddin Ahmed, SM Sarwar and General Secretary Tarek Hossain were present at the press conference.