Dhaka Traffic Gridlock Reaches Crisis Point as New Solutions Sought

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The daily struggle for mobility in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, has reached a critical juncture, with traffic congestion worsening despite ongoing infrastructure projects and policy interventions. Commuters report that average travel times have increased by up to 40% in the past two years, with peak-hour journeys that once took an hour now stretching to over two hours in key corridors such as the Airport Road, Mirpur Road, and the Gulshan-Banani link.

According to the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), the city’s vehicle population has surged to over 1.5 million, far exceeding the road capacity designed for fewer than 800,000 vehicles. This imbalance is compounded by rapid urbanization, with an estimated 400,000 new residents moving to Dhaka annually, many of whom rely on informal transport modes like rickshaws and CNG auto-rickshaws that further clog major arteries.

Local commuters express frustration. “I leave home at 7 a.m. to reach my office in Motijheel by 9 a.m., but lately, I’m lucky if I make it by 10,” said Mohammad Ali, a bank employee who travels from Uttara. “The extra hours on the road affect my health and productivity.”

In response, the government has accelerated several megaprojects. The much-delayed Dhaka Metro Rail, partially operational on the Uttara-Agargaon route since late 2022, now carries over 200,000 passengers daily, but its coverage remains limited. The ongoing expansion to Motijheel and Kamalapur is expected to ease congestion on the northern corridor, but completion is not anticipated until 2025. Meanwhile, the 19.7-kilometer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line on the Airport Road-Gazipur stretch has faced repeated delays and is now slated for partial opening in early 2024.

International observers note that Dhaka’s traffic woes are not unique but are among the worst globally. A 2023 study by the World Bank ranked Dhaka as the second-most congested city in the world, after Bogotá, Colombia, with an economic cost estimated at $3.8 billion annually in lost productivity, fuel waste, and health impacts from air pollution. The study recommended integrated land-use planning, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and investment in non-motorized transport infrastructure.

On the enforcement front, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched a dedicated Traffic Management Unit to clear illegal parking and hawker encroachments. In the first week of December 2023, the DMP reported towing over 500 vehicles and issuing fines totaling 1.2 million taka. However, critics argue that enforcement is sporadic and often undermined by corruption. “Without addressing the root causes—unplanned urbanization, lack of alternative routes, and poor public transport coordination—these measures are just band-aids,” said transport expert Dr. Shamsul Alam.

Residents are also turning to technology. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Pathao have introduced carpooling and bike-sharing options, while real-time traffic navigation apps like Google Maps and local platform Trafi have become indispensable. Yet, these tools only mitigate, not solve, the problem. “We need a comprehensive, long-term vision that prioritizes mass transit and non-motorized transport,” said Farhana Islam, an urban planner with the Bangladesh Institute of Planners. “The current approach is reactive, not proactive.”

As Dhaka grapples with its traffic crisis, the economic and social toll continues to mount. For the millions who call this city home, the search for a viable commute remains an ever-present challenge, with hope pinned on metro expansions, BRT completion, and stronger governance. Whether these measures will untangle the gridlock remains to be seen, but the urgency is undeniable.