To those arriving from abroad the first impression about Dhaka city traffic, is one of sheer dismay. No one can conceive of keeping to a schedule in moving from place to place in Dhaka. In other mgjor cities, traffic congestion is experienced. viz. Bangkok or Calcutta, but nothing on the scale of Dhaka. Most of the vehicular traffic moves willy nIUy in complete disregard to regu-laUons and convenience/safety of other road users. In this respect the worst offenders are the trucks and buses. Their sheer size and weight give them some immunity which they use disparagingly to crowd other traffic into untenable situations and Inordinate delays.

The other reason for the chaotic situation is the presence of the huge number of rickshaws and motor rickshaws on the roads. They outnumber cars and other vehicles by 25/30 times. They slow down the traffic. cause enormous congestion and make movement very difficult.

The rickshaws and motor rickshaws no doubt provide employment and sustenance to a multitude of people. So. no hasty decision can be contemplated without creating a more Invidious situation. But a deci sion to remove them seems Inevitable, otherwise Dhaka traffic will come to a standstill In the not too distant a future. A strong, dedicated regulatory body and a well planned replacement programme are ur gently needed

Hence It Is clear that Dhaka's public transport ays tern Is in dire need of extension and upgrading. Such a scheme may be drawn up and Inte grated with the phasing out of the rickshaws. Cooperatives of these vehicle owners can be formed under government aus-

pices and financed through government schemes. These cooperatives can own the new fleet of buses and mini coaches to replace the rickshaws. 1

The members of the co-ops could be involved in the new transport system from the very start. They could be integrated in the planning and when It is operative, could drive and conduct the bus services and maintain the vehicles. This type of personal Involvement would ensure, among other things, efficient organisation. When operative. the system would improve the tenor of life of the participants, easing them out of back-breaking work and allow them more time to look after their families.

Another possibility is the installation of a smaller gauge railway or tram service to run along the periphery of Dhaka city and some major centres, such as Gandaria. Sadarghat. Nalgolla. Satmasjid and Mirpur. From there It could cut across — running parallel to the exist Ing new road — to the Cantonment. Banani. round to Shahjahanpur. Rampura and back to Gandaria This system could carry the bulk of passengers and cargo' between the centres. Ideally, the railway and/or tramway system would be run by electrical energy this minimising the pressure of pollution and noise.

The circular transport system could be usefully complimented by a heavy duty Inner ring round which would ply the heavy vehicles such as trucks fhese would bypass the main -ity limits and avoid clogging up be city traffic They would move their cargo to main cen-:res and outstations such as vavar and Narayanganj

Zahur Hossein Gulahan Dhaka