Traffic Congestion in Dhaka is a day to day problem and it becomes horrible during school time. Walk to school can solve the problem by reducing the usage of cars. And walk to school also has some physical benefit. Besides if the usage of motor vehicle reduces, then it will decrease fuel consumption and carbon emission. On 23^rd February 2017, Sweet Bird School of Monsurabad Mohammadpur and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust jointly organized a human chain on ‘Demand to Ensure Safe Walk Route to School’ followed by an Art Competition and there speakers mentioned the above words. About 150 students of Sweet Bird School participated in the art competition. Later they organized a human chain.

Atiqur Rahman, Project Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, said that, as the walking condition is not good in Dhaka so the children and parents feel discouraged to walk. All related organization should work in coordination to improve the situation.

Maruf Hossain, Program Manager, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, said that, using one car for one student has made the situation worse. Government has declared 40% quota for local students in all schools. If equal standard school is ensured in all communities, then it will be easier for students to walk to school.

Jesmin Nahar, Head Mistress, Sweet Bird School, said that, as guardians are interested to admit their children in some specific schools, so the travel demand increases. Some consider cars as prestigious issue. If children are sent to community school then the necessity to use cars will decraese and children will walk to school.

95% children in Sweet Bird School walk to school. If a safe walking environment is ensured here, it will be an example in this area. City Corporation, relevant Ministry and community people should work together in this regard. It is important to reduce vehicle speed, stop honking to ensure safe walking.

Other presented in the human chain were Ziaur Rahman, Senior Project Officer; Naima Akter, Tanjida Haque, Assistant Advocacy Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust and teachers and students from Sweet Bird school.