Dhaka City Faces Traffic Pollution and Development Challenges

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, continues to grapple with a complex array of urban issues as the city undergoes rapid transformation. Traffic congestion remains a daily ordeal for millions of commuters, with the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority reporting that average vehicle speeds in peak hours have dropped to less than 10 kilometers per hour in many areas. The problem is particularly acute on major arteries such as the Airport Road and the Mirpur Road, where bottlenecks are common despite ongoing construction of flyovers and metro rail projects.

Air quality in Dhaka also remains a pressing concern. According to the Department of Environment, the city’s Air Quality Index frequently registers as unhealthy, especially during the dry winter months. The main sources of pollution include vehicle emissions, construction dust, and industrial activities. The government has implemented measures such as restricting brick kilns and promoting the use of compressed natural gas in vehicles, but environmental groups argue that enforcement is inconsistent.

In response to these challenges, the Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation have launched several initiatives. The city corporations have intensified garbage collection efforts, deploying more waste trucks and expanding door-to-door collection services in neighborhoods like Mohammadpur and Gulshan. However, residents in some areas still report irregular service, leading to illegal dumping and clogged drainage systems.

On the development front, the ongoing construction of the Dhaka Metro Rail is a major focus. The first phase, connecting Uttara to Motijheel, is expected to be operational by late 2024, offering a rapid transit alternative to road travel. The project, funded partly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, aims to reduce travel time significantly and ease congestion. Meanwhile, the Padma Bridge, opened last year, has improved connectivity between Dhaka and the southwestern regions, boosting trade and daily commutes.

Internationally, Dhaka’s urban challenges are part of a broader trend in fast-growing cities across South Asia. The United Nations has highlighted Dhaka as one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with an estimated population of over 20 million. Urban planners from other countries, including India and Vietnam, have studied Dhaka’s efforts to manage its growth, particularly its use of public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects.

Local businesses in Dhaka are adapting to the city’s pace. The ready-made garment sector, which accounts for a significant portion of Bangladesh’s exports, has faced logistical hurdles due to traffic delays. Factory owners in areas like Savar and Gazipur have called for improved road networks to ensure timely delivery of goods to the port. The government has responded by proposing new expressways and a dedicated freight corridor, though timelines remain uncertain.

Residents, meanwhile, express a mix of frustration and hope. In a recent survey by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, 70 percent of Dhaka residents cited traffic as their top concern, followed by waterlogging during monsoon rains. However, many also acknowledged improvements in public transport, such as the introduction of more buses under the city’s route permit reform program.

As Dhaka prepares for the upcoming monsoon season, the city corporations are prepping drainage systems and deploying pumps in low-lying areas. The mayor of Dhaka North, Atiqul Islam, has urged citizens to cooperate by not littering or encroaching on canals. The city’s ability to balance growth with livability will be tested in the coming months, as it strives to become a more sustainable urban center.