It is almost impossible to find people in Dhaka who did not face any problem due to traffic jam. Traffic jams waste valuable working hours, increase pollution and health risks. The traffic situation in the city is deteriorating day by day. According to the BRTA, only 3,605 buses were registered from 2020 to May 2022 as against 31,306 private cars. Due to unplanned urbanization the number of private cars is increasing and so the parking demand. As a result, the severity of traffic jams is also increasing. Problems like carbon emissions, air and noise pollution, road accidents are also increasing due to increase of private cars. Considering the welfare of citizen, environment and public health, effective initiatives need to be taken to control private cars.

This was stated by the speakers at a virtual discussion program titled 'Ensuring a Safe Walking Environment to Reduce Traffic Jam and Pollution' organized by Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust at 4.00 pm on 6 June 2022. The virtual program was moderated by Proma Saha, Project Officer of WBB Trust and Maqsood Hashem, Chief Urban Planner, Dhaka North City Corporation, Adil Mohammad Khan, Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Jahangirnagar University, Farhana Rashid, Co-Founder and CEO, Bhumijo Limited and Gaous Pearee, Director, Work for Bangladesh were present at discussants.  

Maqsood Hashem said that people ca access products easily from the roadside vendors. We need vendor management policy to bring them under licensing and proper management. Streets are important public space. There should be city wide public space management strategy. Ensuring an uninterrupted network of walking is very important. Therefore, universities can conduct research in this regard.

Adil Mohammad Khan said that not only Dhaka, but every city in Bangladesh is at risk due to pollution. The need to build a walking friendly urban transport system is necessary throughout Bangladesh. To ensure discipline in the transportation system of Dhaka, it is necessary to improve the public transport system as well. Most of the trips in Dhaka are conducted on foot and only 5-7% people own cars. Thus, it is essential to ensure walking friendly environment and reduce use of private cars to reduce traffic congestion and noise and air pollution.

Farhana Rashid said, our city is not friendly especially for women and children as they face lot of obstacles and insecurity while walking. For crossing roads our city authority is providing foot-over bridges, which is not accessible by persons with disabilities. In the footpaths, amenities like seating arrangements, public toilet, shades, lights, etc have not been ensured. Thus, city dwellers are discouraged to walk even in the short distances. Walking is considered as the transportation mode of poor in our society. To change this perception, it is necessary to increase awareness about the health and environmental benefits of walking.

Gaous Pearee said our sidewalks are not inclusive and full of many obstacles like construction materials, illegal parking, garbage, etc. Also, it lacks amenities for persons with disabilities. To ensure social justice and an inclusive society, pedestrian first policy should be implemented.