The New Nation - Internet Edition

A MEETING was called by the Chief Adviser himself before the start of the month of Ramzan to address the issue of traffic jam. Besides discussing long-term plans of traffic management, the meeting also examined what could be done during the holy month to minimise people's sufferings. Members of the traffic wing of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) were present at the meeting. The traffic wing later unfolded its plans to better manage the traffic during the month. The same included posting more traffic policemen at traffic intersections to keep order on the roads and traffic movement at a reasonable level of ease.

But all the plans and promises have gone haywire. Traffic gridlocks are now turning out to be too menacing and tormenting for the residents of the city. Progressively traffic movement conditions in the city have turned from bad to worse. At many places traffic gets held up motionlessly for more than half an hour or so. Thus, a destination to arrive at in twenty minutes needs at least one and half hours. Needless to say, the horrendous traffic jams cause great hardships to people who are fasting. Many people are known to be falling ill as a result. They cannot avoid going out because the Eid festival is nearing.

The sufferers have this view that the jams are largely uncalled for ones. Large scale political disturbances leading to road blockading activities are not going on in the city. Marches, rallies, etc., that lead to jams are not noted. Thus, it is apparent that it is only the failure of the DMP's traffic wing to enforce their earlier plans which is causing the traffic madness. Only better traffic policing can bring about quick changes in the situation.