Vehicle movement speed 7 km, walking 5 in Dhaka

The vehicle movement speed has come down to 7 kilometers per hour from 21 kilometers in the last 10 years due to traffic congestion; whereas the walking speed is 5 kilometers per hour. In Dhaka 32 lakh working hours are being spoiled due to this traffic congestion. The scenario was upheld in a report of World Bank.

The World Bank in a program published the report at hotel Sonargaon in the capital on Thursday. The organization performed a research on how Dhaka can be established as ‘power house of economics’ as part of global city.

There it was said, Dhaka can be managed for dwelling more 50 lakh people. Besides, employment opportunities can be created for more 18 lakh people. In this regard three steps should be taken. These are- an embankment should be erected on the bank of Balu river to get rid of flood and divert flow of the river, coordination for development of growing general and public transport management and a ‘business district’ should be developed in the eastern part of Dhaka.

The report said, to implement these three steps it will cost one thousand five hundred crore dollars. With this expenditure economic activities yearly worth 5 thousand 300 crore dollars can be achieved by the year 2035.

World Bank said, this economic activity will increase income of the city dwellers. The per capita income which is at present below 8 thousand dollars will reach at 9 thousand 200 dollars by the year 2035.

The program was presided over by World Bank Country Director Qimiao Fan where its South Asian affairs Chief Economist Martin Rama, PPRC Chairman Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahma, Oxford Professor Anthony Venable were present.

World Bank said, Dhaka city’s development activities were not adjusted with the expansion of the metropolitan area. As a result a disorderly situation is prevailing. A good number of inhabitants including 35 lakh slum dwellers are deprived of basic services and other infrastructural facilities.

While presenting the report Anthony Venable said, people are increasing every day in Dhaka at an average rate. If the rate goes on then the population of Dhaka will be three and half crore by the year 2035. Dhaka is facing a great number of challenges which will increase in future.

AH