Traffic jam free capital expected

Long-awaited Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover fully opened to traffic after six years lengthy construction. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the flyover open on October 26.

Earlier, Satrasta, Moghbazar and Holy Family portion of the flyover was opened. After the inauguration of whole flyover, it is expected that the sufferings of dwellers in the area will reduce. In addition, the traffic congestion will ease to some extent after the much-awaited flyover.

The government approved the project in 2011 to ease traffic jam and ensure smooth vehicular movements in Moghbazar-Mouchak-Malibagh-Shantinagar-Tejgaon routes. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the flyover construction on February 16, 2013. Tk 1218.89 crore was spent in three phases to build the 8.7 kilometers long flyover. However, the city dwellers and the route users had to suffer a lot during the construction as the project more time than the schedule.

It was a major step to make traffic jam free Dhaka city. During inauguration of the project, the Premier expressed hope that the flyover will play an important role to save time of city dwellers decreasing traffic jam. Basically, traffic jam has been reduced in Moghbazar-Mouchak-Shantinagar-Razarbagh and Malibagh route after the opening the flyover. But, question has been raised over its signal lights and traffic jam in other sides of the flyover.

Continuous traffic signal is another reason of traffic jam in the city. Traffic signals have been set up in the flyover to remove jam. It seems that there is a lack of planning in this regard. There is no doubt about the sincerity of the government to remove traffic jam. There is lot of examples of it. The authority has to keep sharp eye on perfect design and its implementation, proper planning. The concerned authority should be alert so that similar mistake does not take place in future. People's sufferings and construction cost increase if the task doesn't end timely.  

Basically, integrated road management, well arrangement of public transports, occupation-free footpath, proper use of traffic signals, random vehicle parking and safe road crossing issues should be solved immediately. Flyover may not be the exact solution unless the city roads are suitable for smooth vehicular movement.

The government took Metrorail, Elevated Expressway construction and other projects. Already the tasks of these projects are underway. If these mega projects get implemented then the city dwellers will get relief from traffic congestion.




risingbd/Dhaka/Oct 28, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Nasim