Tarique Rahman engaging specialists to discuss how Dhaka’s gridlocked traffic might be overhauled is the sort of intent we want to see more of. It is especially positive as it seems to be an acknowledgement of what many residents have felt for years: The city’s traffic system is broken.
Dhaka’s roads have unfortunately become synonymous with congestion. Commuters are forced to waste hours every day, air quality is worsening daily, and economic productivity is being dented: All symptoms of a mobility crisis that has persisted through successive administrations.
While gradual steps — such as intensified traffic enforcement and periodic traffic drives — have been tried sporadically in the past, the fundamental problem still remains, and many feel these measures have not eased the everyday misery that the public is subjected to on city streets.
Consulting experts is, therefore, the right start. Involving urban planners and traffic specialists creates a basis for solutions grounded in data and experience, rather than quick fixes or ad-hoc responses.
Public confidence in the new administration can also grow when leadership listens to those who understand the complexity of Dhaka’s transportation challenges.
However, these discussions must be translated to action, and fast. Citizens will judge this initiative by tangible results: Through smoother traffic flow, safer roads, and a transport system that supports the capital’s rapid growth.
Performative measures like temporary tweaks to signals or enforcement will no longer be enough. A comprehensive, long-term strategy that coordinates infrastructure, public transport, traffic management, and enforcement is essential at this stage.
Traffic congestion in Dhaka is unbearable for millions, and any and all efforts to address it are welcome. However, only sustained, well-executed reform will turn these consultations into relief on the roads.
We hope the prime minister’s consultation with experts is just the beginning, and that concrete traffic solutions are finally presented.
