What will be the effect if we take rickshaws off the streets?

A ban on the NMT (non motorized vehicle) i.e. rickshaws, is a buzzword for many of us owning a car or just wanting to provide a wise solution for the traffic dilemma. But, we fail to understand the many adverse implications ambushed behind such a ban. A research study undertaken by the WBB trust has found that the pilot project of the ban of NMT on Mirpur Road from Russel square to Ajimpur caused difficulties for many. School going children, women and female students faced with increased time of travel, insecurity and hassle. In addition, Majority of the general population including the male, and the poor has to bear higher traveling cost (as CNG s and taxicabs charge higher) and time.

In a nutshell, the ban on Rickshaws effectively meant a ban on security, privacy, convenience, and low cost travel for the overwhelming majority. It will also worsen the air quality by contributing to air pollution, thereby creating an environmental hazard. We must make policies and decisions that would benefit the masses not only a privileged section the society. Therefore imposing a ban on NMT will not be an effective way to tackle the traffic crises. In order to increase the speed of a few traveling by cars, one cannot put the majority at a disadvantage.

NMT is not only serves people from across all socio-economic groups but the primary beneficiaries are the lower middle class, working class and migrant workers. The operators of these vehicles are extreme poor or poor people migrating from the NW. Taking away their livelihood options without providing suitable alternatives would lead to worsening poverty for urban poor and rural extreme poor.

Would Metro rail ease traffic?

International experience suggests that building new roads will be counter-productive. We might assume that such an action would relieve congestion; in fact the opposite is true. It may only be a short-term solution, as with more roads the number of cars on the streets will increase and people will travel more.  Cities like Los Angeles, Jakarta, and Bangkok were not able to solve their traffic problem even after massive investment for roads. For a successful outcome, we have to invest in public transit and try to limit the number of vehicles on the roads.

The government is considering underground railways – to enable mass transit. Is Dhaka city suitable for underground railway? We need to see the climatic variations (floods) which Dhaka faces but not a problem for many cities with underground system.

Impact of re-location of Komlapur station on traffic.

How feasible will be the elevated expressway in Dhaka?

Is building new roads the solution to our traffic problem?

Has the government considered decentralization of government offices (shifting outside of Dhaka)?

Has the government provided any incentives for labour-intensive businesses to move to adjacent district towns?

What stimulus plans have been provided to improve commerce in other districts to reduce internal migration of the poor to Dhaka?

Why the issue of demand management is not part of the discussion on traffic?

“One thing that I find missing from most of the discussion on traffic congestion is the issue of demand management. We mostly talk about supply side issue like lack of roads, widening of roads, elevated expressway, traffic system. But unless we make serious attempt to control demand for roads with some road pricing mechanism, no matter how many roads we build, the problem would not go away.

Using the road must have a price associated with it, the higher the price the lower would be the frivolous and luxury use, the less would be the traffic.  I think one of the major reasons for so many cars in the street is very low gas prices. It reduced the cost of driving enormously. It is so insane to see that while many industries are getting closed due to lack of gas supply, we are wasting this valuable resource by driving around (or by staying still in the traffic!).”