Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, often finds itself choked by the crippling traffic congestion. This is due to the disproportionate number of people living in the city compared to the number of public transportation choices available. According to the World Bank, about 80% of the road space in Dhaka is used by private automobiles, which make up only 5% of all trips. Can planned public transportation reverse this trend and alleviate traffic congestion?
As the city grapples with ever-increasing traffic, inflicting a staggering economic cost, the Dhaka Metro Rail project emerges as a potential solution to improve overall transportation efficiency. However, solving the traffic congestion in Dhaka will require much more than that.
The Cost of the Gridlock
Dhaka City, about 300 square kilometers, is currently home to 22,478,116 people as of 2022. This makes it the sixth most populous city globally and the 7th most densely populated city. Dhaka’s population is projected to grow further to 26.3 million by 2035. Millions of people travel through the roads every day, resulting in unbearable traffic congestion. The World Bank estimates that Dhaka’s traffic congestion costs the city $5 billion annually, equivalent to roughly 2% of its GDP. This translates to lost productivity, wasted fuel, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The situation is dire, especially during rush hours, when a 14 km trip may take 1.5 to 3 hours. The high level of air pollution resulting from traffic congestion contributes to health issues, making it imperative to address the problem urgently.
Dhaka Metro Rail: A Beacon of Hope
Constructing a metro rail in Bangladesh was first considered in 2005 when The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) created a 20-year strategic transport plan (STP) to develop a modern transit system for Dhaka.
Concrete work started in December 2012, when the government approved the ‘Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project’ or ‘Metro Rail’ project.
Five route lines covering about 129 kilometers have been proposed for the project, including MRT Lines 1, 2, 4, 5 (north and south), and 6. The $2.82 bn project is being carried out with joint funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the government of Bangladesh.
Construction work for the first MRT route, ‘MRT line-6’ began in June 2016. The first half of the route from Uttara to Agargaon became operational in December 2022, letting the country’s people travel by metro rail for the first time. The 20km line from Uttara to Motijheel is active from 7 am to 8 pm. Nearly 60,000 passengers per hour, or 960,000 people per day, are expected to be able to travel by Dhaka Metro Rail, which is a significant sigh of relief for the city-dwellers.
Early Impact and Challenges
Despite its limited reach, the Metro Rail has already shown its benefits. According to a World Bank report of 2017, 3.8 million working hours are wasted every day in Dhaka because of traffic jams. Earlier, commuting from Uttara to Motijheel took 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic. Now it takes only 40 minutes by the metro. Reduced travel time relieves the working population’s physical, mental, and economic stress, increasing their efficiency and productivity. The government estimated that metro rail will save $2.4 billion annually, equivalent to 1.5% of GDP and 17% of Bangladesh’s total tax revenue. The metro has also positively impacted the female working population, who had security concerns in conventional public transport. The metro rail has also generated new jobs to manage the 16 operational stations, and once the planned 103 stations across all routes are completed, it will create a vast scope for employment.
On the contrary, Metro has affected the business of the bus owners and transport workers. This will likely trigger the much-needed reform in the public bus service. Most buses plying the city are unfit, unauthorized, and have zero regard for the safety of the commuters. As witnessed in other global metropolises like Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore, an efficient and well-connected Metro and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system can encourage a shift from private vehicles to public transportation, thus decreasing the number of cars on the road.
However, challenges remain. The long queues and overcrowding in the metro stations have highlighted its undercapacity. This discrepancy necessitates better integration with other forms of public transport like buses and rickshaws. Additionally, affordability concerns linger, with the Metro Rail fare marginally higher than some bus routes.
Lessons for the Future
While the metro line and the elevated expressways have eased the traffic congestion in some routes for some people, changes are happening at a different rate than the population is multiplying, ultimately having no net positive impact on relieving the congestion in Dhaka. Expanding the network and ensuring seamless connectivity and integration with other public transport options are crucial. Bangladesh can learn from the Transport for London (TFL) instances in the UK or the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore. Maintaining competitive fares while ensuring operational sustainability is required to ensure accessibility for all groups of people. At the same time, all forms of public transportation must comply with specific standards and regulations so that public transport becomes a viable alternative for higher-income people.
Infrastructural development must accompany future urban planning to promote walking, cycling, and carpooling. Decentralizing the city and increasing connectivity to regional hubs like Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Savar can reduce congestion.
According to Moazzem Hossain, head of the Accident Research Institute, Bangladesh might save $2.6bn if traffic congestion in Dhaka could be reduced by 60%. With the potential to reduce the volume of vehicles on the road as anticipated, Metro Rail is poised to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution directly. This, in turn, may lead to enhanced air quality,
Dhaka’s traffic congestion is a complex issue requiring a multi-dimensional approach involving urban planning, policy implementation, financial investment, and behavioural change. While the Metro Rail alone may not be the answer, it is a critical solution component with immense potential. Emphasizing well-planned and executed public transportation systems, addressing their limitations, integrating them effectively with other modes, and prioritizing accessibility and affordability can be the stepping stone toward alleviating Dhaka’s traffic woes and shaping a more sustainable future for the city.
