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New bus routes show signs of easing traffic congestion

Shariful Islam
On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, other than the usual traffic congestion during morning and afternoon rush hours, commuters witnessed a comparatively sparse traffic on the streets of the capital throughout the rest of the day.
On Monday the authorities introduced 40 new bus routes in the capital and adjacent areas with some strict guidelines for bus drivers and crews, although many of them were found flouting those yesterday.
However, some buses were following the new rules like stopping close to the curbs instead of screeching to a halt with their rear ends jutting out into flowing traffic.
Some law enforcers and public transport operators said sparse presence of automated public transports on the streets yesterday was due to a crackdown the day before on some of those which had been fitted with substandard CNG cylinders, following numerous fatal cylinder explosions in the city.
Fearing a continuation of the crackdown, many bus and minibus operators, especially of the antiquated ones, and almost all human haulers stayed off the streets yesterday.
Visiting Mirpur-10, Mirpur-1, Farm Gate, Panthapath, Russel Square, Science Laboratory, Gausia Market, and Gulistan areas this correspondent found almost no street vendor on any foot over bridge, road, and in underpass.
Some personal automobiles however were seen parked illegally on the roads.
Traffic police and commuters said tailbacks were formed as usual like in any other day during morning office rush hours, but most of the roads in different parts of the city became free after 11:00am.
However, busy Mirpur Road, Panthapath and some roads in Dhanmondi, where many schools are located, were plagued by traffic jams through most part of the day.
"It took me almost an hour to reach Bangladesh Secretariat from Shahbagh on a bus in the morning," said Mohammad Ramzan who came from Mirpur.
Mirpur Road and Panthapath were so jammed that it took around 40 minutes for commuters to reach New Market and Gausia area from Sonargaon Hotel intersection via Russel Square around noon.
But, around 1:35pm Mirpur Road near New Market was completely traffic free. Local residents said possibly the road was free because New Market was closed yesterday for its regular weekly shutdown.
Traffic Constable Altaf, who was on duty at traffic jam prone Bijoy Sarani intersection, said the number of vehicles on the roads were lesser than the number seen in previous Ramadan, when tailbacks there regularly used to be immense and utterly frustrating.
Some bus drivers were found pulling over aligned to curbs at the stops for picking and dropping passengers following the new guidelines introduced by Metro RTC (regional transport committee).
But many others were still pulling over recklessly without any consideration for the traffic trying to flow by them, or for the safety of pedestrians.
Haphazard parking at bus stops by bus drivers is a major reason for traffic jams in the city.
Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Naim Ahmed on Monday warned of confiscating buses and other stem actions against drivers who will obstruct smooth flow of passing traffic
Although under the new regime all buses are supposed to keep some reserved scats for women and disabled passengers, hardly any bus was found following the order.
Asked whether police went on any action against violators, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Jasimuddin said on the first day they did not file any case.
"We are giving bus owners and the staff a reaction time for a few days and then we will start taking strict actions against violators," he told The Daily Star.
"I didn't hear anything about police taking stem actions if we violate the new guidelines," Sentu Sheikh, a bus driver who works the Mirpur route, however said.
Another bus driver Mohammad Jewel said he heard that police will file cases if anyone violates the rules from today.