During Ramadan it is needed to take some steps for minimizing the traffic problems on road; such as: arranging educational institutes’ buses for general people travel; rescheduling the train time considering demand; splitting up the official closing time; preventing car parking on road and footpath; arranging safe trip for pedestrians. Adequate numbers of well conditioned buses, trains and water vehicles should be arranged short and long route travel. In this regard, law enforcement organizations and related institutions can take actions along with a declaration by government. A press conference entitled “Recommendations for resisting accidents, congestions and inadequate vehicles problems and ensuring smooth traveling during Ramadan and Eid” has been held on 09 July 2013 at 11 a.m. where speakers of POBA (Poribesh Bachao Andolon) and WBB Trust (Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust) have expressed their opinions.

Maruf Rahman, National Advocacy Officer, WBB Trust welcomed all and said that, 95% trips in Dhaka are generated by bus, rickshaw, foot and other public vehicles. 5% Private cars occupy 70% of road space. However, private cars get priority in the street with a very low amount of parking charge which in turn is boosting up the use of private cars very spontaneously. Therefore, 95% people are facing congestion and other transport problems. He proposed to restrict car parking on road and footpath and prohibit entering private cars into commercial zones before evening during Ramadan. He also advised to maintain an order of providing holidays to officials so that the pressure on transport services can be minimized a bit. 

Samiul Hasan Shajib, Development Officer, WBB Trust mentioned in his article that during Ramadan, increasing the number of public buses and controlling the private cars are very important to reduce congestion and public annoyance. To provide adequate public buses in the city; to ensure best possible services by BRTC and other private services, to include educational and other semi government institutions buses’ under regular services, to provide more bogies in Gazipur-Komlapur-Narayonganj commuter train as demanded; to increase predetermined fees for private car parking; to take necessary steps for preventing motor bike movement on footpath and to increase monitoring on taxi cab and three wheelers are some of his recommendations.

Aminul Islam Shujon, Project Coordinator, WBB Trust said that, control over private cars to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emission and developing public transport system, constructing bus bay, diminishing elevated express ways along with promoting walking and bicycling are very much appreciative worldwide. He emphasized on the integrated transportation system where road, rail and water transport system have to be integrated by converting road dependency into other systems. He also recommended to provide well conditioned vehicles.

Academic scholar Kamal Ataur Rahman said, different government headquarters are placed in Dhaka. Besides, development activities are city oriented. Therefore, people are concentrating into the city from peripheral areas. Decentralization of development can reduce the population pressure of the city. Population pressure has to be decreased to reduce traffic congestion in the long run. In this regard, he gave importance to create opportunities regarding education, health and profession to other cities. Abul Hasnat, president of Dhaka Modern Club requested all not to use car horns.

Secretary of Poribash Bachao Andolon Abdus Sobhan said, when vehicle is unavailable, at least pedestrian environment should be smooth. In this case, the goods of hawkers should be placed in a manageable way. Car parking, waste disposal and construction material should be removed from footpath. He recommended making zebra crossings available to all streets in Dhaka. He also asked for help from the law enforcement institutions for drawing zebra crossing and stopping car before it. He recommended to reform rail line and roads and to involve law enforcement institutions for ensuring safe and normal flow of traffic