Traffic Jam in Bangladesh

Course teacher

Prof. DR. Halimur Khan

Visiting Professor

Faculty of Business Administration

Prepared & submitted by

Names: ID

Samiul Nafiz 081200115

Romana Akter 081200117

Farzana Haq 081200109

Sawravi Sarkar 093200149

Date of submission
5th January, 2011

Eastern University
 Acknowledgement

First and foremost, we would like to thank to our course instructor of this business communication course
Prof. DR. Halimur Khan for the valuable guidance and advice. He inspired us greatly to work in this term
paper. His willingness to motivate us contributed tremendously to our work. We also would like to thank
him for his valuable time by helping us for this report.

Finally, an honorable mention goes to my class mates for their understandings and supports in completing
this report. Without helping of the particular that mentioned above, we would face many difficulties while
doing this report.
 Terms of Reference

Traffic jam is a common affair in the big cities and towns. When vehicles are fully stopped for
periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam. Traffic jam is a situation when all
road traffic is stationary or very slow. It is one of the major problems of modern time. This
problem is the result of rapid growth of population and the increasing number of vehicles. Most
often this problem occurs in the congested areas where the roads are very narrow. The causes of
traffic jam are many. In proportion to our population roads have not increased. The roads are all
the same. There are many unlicensed vehicles which should be bought under control. The drivers
are not willing to obey the traffic rules. They want to drive at their sweet will. Overworking
tendency also causes traffic jam. The number of traffic police is insufficient. Most often traffic
jam occurs at office time and also at the time when the offices breaks. It blocks half a kilometer.
It kills our valuable time and our works are hampered. It causes great sufferings to the
ambulance carrying dying patients and the fire brigade vehicles. However, the problem can be
solved by adopting some measures. Well planned spacious roads should be constructed. One way
movement of vehicles should be introduced. Traffic should be imposed strictly so that the drivers
are bound to obey them. Sufficient traffic police should be posted on important points.
Unlicensed vehicles should be removed. After doing all these things we can hope to have a good
traffic system for our easy and comfortable movement
States of being Traffic Jam:
A condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and are characterized by slower
speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. As demand approaches the capacity
of a road, extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for periods of time,
this is known as traffic jam.

The mega city of Dhaka cannot afford the burden of 140 million people on its 360
kilometers of land. And Traffic jam stands as the number one problem of Dhaka city. 93%city
dwellers are directly related to it. It was followed by pollution 62 percent, higher fares 46
percent, and frequent accidents 26 percent; hijacking 26 percent. The city dwellers, city planners,
policy makes, the experts and researchers who think about the city will unanimously agree that
Dhaka is one of the most unplanned cities of the world. It is lengthy in south and northern
directions while its width consisting of east and western directions is few kilometers only. There
is hardly any scope of its expansion in eastern and western side to a visible extent.

Non-mechanized vehicles that mostly rickshaws fall the victim of any decision to ease
traffic jam. Now question arises are cars more efficient than rickshaws in terms of road
space occupancy? Despite constant claims of the city officials that rickshaws are the main
source of traffic jams, data indicate that rickshaws are far superior to cars as far as road
space occupancy and pollution contribution is concerned. In the base case, i.e. before the
fuel-free transport ban, rickshaws made up 67.8% of vehicles, yet unlisted only 43.5% of
road space to transport 59.4% of passengers. Cars made up only 6.4% of vehicles, yet
occupied as much as 29.9% of the road space in the base case to transport far fewer
passengers than by rickshaw. Despite being removed from the main roads, rickshaws are
still the most popular mode of transport serving 30% of the passengers whereas cars serve
only 8.5% of all types.

All citizens of Dhaka city face traffic jam almost everyday. Because of traffic jam people need to
start from home two or three times earlier to his destination. It kills our valuable time. Students
are the worst victim. Their education is hampered because of traffic jam. Emergency patients,
Ambulance service, Fire department also face trouble due to traffic jam.

Reasons of traffic jam:

The traffic problem of Dhaka is hindering the growth of this city and, at large,
Bangladesh both. On every intersection the drivers become quite unruly. A first time visitor may
think that people here are the most wild who have no respect for law of the land. This is indeed a
serious matter. Behavioral scientists have long since done experiments to show that even insects
demonstrate aggressive behavior when they are placed in a crowded situation. Therefore, it
comes as no surprise to see that Dhaka's pedestrians, the rickshawpullers, babytaxi drivers, and
bus and truck drivers all vie for tiny spaces with noticeable aggression and utter disregard for
others' right of way. This obviously creates serious problems such as unnecessary traffic holdup
and some unhappy incidents. Serious vehicular-related accidents are growing at an accelerated
rate for growing traffic problem.
There are many reasons of traffic jam in Dhaka city among them the major reasons are-

 Less number of roads:

Any city in world needs at least 40% roads of the total area, where Dhaka
city only has 12% roads according to the total area of Dhaka city which is
very fewer of the actual need.

 Deficiency of wider roads:

Roads are very narrow in Dhaka city especially in the old town area. As a
reason few number of vehicles can pass through a certain road at a time.

 Excess number of vehicles :

Day by day the numbers of vehicles in Dhaka city are getting higher. The
old cars are still running on the streets where in addition new cars are
imported in a mass number. There is no salvation process for these old
cars in our country as a reason the numbers of vehicles are increasing day
by day.

 Unplanned roads:

The roads are unplanned in Dhaka city. Every year new roads are planned
in Dhaka city but they are not properly planned up to the standard. As a
reason they are able to solve a particular places traffic jam but it increase
another areas conjunction even more.

 Unskilled and uneducated drivers:

Another main reason of Traffic jam is because of the unskilled and

uneducated drivers. They don’t follow the traffic rules. As they are
uneducated they are unable to read the signs and park here and there in the
handicap place. Overtaking tendency of drivers create pro-longed traffic
congestions.
 Lacking of traffic system:

The traffic system is very poor in Bangladesh. Even the traffic signals are
handled by the traffic sergeants manually though there is a proper traffic
signal lights and system.

 Level crossing:
Due to level crossing the movements of the vehicles become stale and it
creates traffic jam.

 Illegal parking:

Illegal parking is another big reason for traffic jam in Dhaka city. As there
is no proper parking place in Dhaka city (shops, malls, office, educational
institutes etc.) people park their car here and there on the roads. The roads
are narrow in Dhaka city and for parking like this the road became even
narrower.

 Slow pace vehicles:

Slow pace vehicles such as rickshaw, human pulling carts and vans are
another big problem of Dhaka city’s traffic jam. They move slowly and
the number of these types of vehicles is huge.

 VIP Protocol:
VIP protocol maintaining is another reason for frequent traffic jams in the
streets and divider problem in the city’s different important roads also
causes congestion.

 Other reasons :
There are other factors that create traffic jams such as excess no. of
schools and university in commercial and residential areas. Increasing no.
of CNG stations, Illegal vehicles etc.
How to solve the traffic jam:
Dhaka city without traffic jam is very much desirable. This will mitigate the sufferings of
the people. Moreover, valuable time will also be saved. Violation of traffic rules be stopped. We
do not want old and dilapidated vehicles in the streets. Nor we want unauthorized parking of
vehicles here and there. We want a clean city free from traffic jam. It is encouraging that the
government is working in this direction. Working together, we can achieve the goal. It is
reported that Government has decided to withdraw about 70,000 (seventy thousand) old and
dilapidated vehicles from the road. Very old and decrepit vehicles will not be allowed to ply. All
these measures are aimed at mitigating the problem.
1. Policy makers, city planners, researchers and the related directorates and offices must sit
together and find ways and means to address the problem. Coordination is very urgent and
important.
2. Readjustment of office timings depending upon the nature of job of the offices.
3. No shop or other installation should be allowed in the footpaths and nearby.
4. Every year Traffic Week is observed by the concerned department. More and more awareness
be created to achieve the goal.
5. Shifting of educational institutes namely, private universities, school and colleges and other
offices from residential zone to outskirts of the city.
6. More and more fly-over and over-bridges be constructed to address the problem.
7. It is learnt that a mega plan is under consideration for underground rail. The plan be speeded
up. The World Bank, IMF and ADB or other donor agencies may be approached in a planned
way to materialize the plan.
8. Restriction on import of old and unnecessary vehicles should be imposed rigidly.
9. There may be three blocks from Tongi Bridge to Jatrabati which will be treated as east block,
middle block and west block. Road planning should be made accordingly for easy traffic
movement.
10. Traffic management should be improved further for which necessary training or facilities
may be available...
11. Unregistered rickshaws must be withdrawn arranging alternatives for their employment.

12. Unauthorized parking of vehicles should be stopped.

Conclusion:

Traffic jam causes air pollution which affects the respiratory tract, causes irritation, headache,
fatigue, asthma, high blood pressure, heart diseases and cancer. Experts say if this trend
continues unabated, most residents of the metropolis would become exposed to the risk of those
ailments and different other health hazards and complications. The development of mental fault
of children would be impaired by lead pollution that could also affect the central nervous system
and causes of urinal damage and hypertension. The massive traffic congestion taking its toll on
human health should not be allowed any more. Behavior scientists have long since done
experiments to show that even insects demonstrate aggressive behavior when they are placed in a
crowded situation.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see that Dhaka's pedestrians, the rickshawpullers, babytaxi
drivers, vanwallas, and bus and truck drivers all vie for tiny spaces with noticeable and utter
disregard for other's right of way.

This obviously creates serious problems such as unnecessary traffic holdup and some unhappy
incidents. Serious vehicular-related accidents are growing at an accelerated rate for growing
traffic problem. It is reported that government has decided to withdraw about 70000 old and
dilapidated vehicles from the road. Very old and decrepit vehicles will not be allowed to ply. All
these measure are aimed at mitigating the problem. When will it see the light of implementation
is unknown to us?

Growing insecurity in presence of law enforcing agencies and even sometimes their involvement
in various forms make the city dwellers and the guest dwellers who come to city just do get their
official and business work done make panic stricken. Everyday pickpockets, hijackers and
extortionists rein the city in every nook and corner. Only the victim knows how much painful it
is. To our utter surprise the victims don't have any place to lay complaint and they take the law in
their hands. Someone will say why not in the police station. Actually no victim wants to go there
just to avoid further harassment. Only God knows when this situation will change. Again, mob
beating or unleashing torture in the doubt of pickpocket or hijackers is another serous concern of
this city. Sometimes it may happen that the gang of pickpockets or hijackers attack any ordinary
passenger or passers -by just to save themselves. So, in no way people should be allowed
to take law in their own hands. Strict law must be imposed regarding this matter.