- Mandatory takes traffic circulation clearance for 10 floors or more
- Some buildings get clearances among 427
- TIA very important in any infrastructure construction
Dr. Shamsul Hoque, transport infrastructure expert
We will take list and take necessary action
- Sabiha Parveen, ED, DTCA
According to Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) calculations, 427 such buildings have been constructed in Dhaka from 2012 to 2020, ranging in height from 11 to 32 floors. According to the law, it is mandatory to take traffic circulation clearance for the construction of buildings of 10 floors or more. However the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) says that most of these buildings do not have traffic circulation clearance. DTCA has asked building owners to apply for traffic circulation clearance immediately. Otherwise, the organization has warned to take action as per the rules. Analyzing the list of DTCA, it was found that out of 427 buildings, 151 were built in Gulshan and Banani, known as elite areas of the capital. But the condition of these buildings is also the same. Most of them do not have a traffic circulation permit. Experts say that proper parking space should be provided during the construction of multi-storied buildings. Adequate space should also be kept for the entry and exit of vehicles from the main road to the building. Due to the non-observance of these rules, various problems including traffic jams are being created.
DTCA is an organization under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The organization works as a coordinator for the development of transport infrastructure in Dhaka and neighboring districts. One of the tasks of the organization is to permit the construction of multi-storied buildings in these areas. According to sub-section 9 (f) of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority Act 2012, DTCA will do the work of design approval and supervision regarding the entry, exit, and movement of vehicles (traffic circulation) in buildings and residential projects constructed by an individual or organization.
The agency also issues traffic circulation clearances based on various indicators. These indicators include planning of parking according to the number of flats and total floor area of multi-storied buildings, access and exit routes, land use within a 250-meter radius of the building, necessary bus bays, and location of bus stands. Transport infrastructure expert and professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering Dr. Shamsul Hoque thinks that 'Traffic Impact Assessment' (TIA) is very important in the construction of any infrastructure including buildings in a densely populated city like Dhaka.
He said, 'Cities that move towards science-based sustainable solutions, work through the necessary data-data review. But in Dhaka, we see that infrastructure is being built without following science and without reviewing data. Analyzing the list of DTCA, it has been found that from 2012 to 2020, the most 14-story buildings were constructed in Dhaka. There are at least 187 buildings of this height. At least 22 on the 11th floor, 46 on the 12th floor, 97 on the 13th floor, 34 on the 15th floor, seven on the 16th floor, four on the 17th floor, three on the 18th floor, two on the 19th floor, five on the 21st floor, one on the 22nd floor, three each on 24th and 25th floor. , two buildings of 26 floors and one each of 27, 30, and 32 floors have been constructed. These buildings include residential as well as commercial or educational establishments. Professor Dr. Shamsul Hoque thinks, 'In a city like Dhaka, data must be analyzed accurately while working in at least two areas. One is to register vehicles according to road capacity. Another is building infrastructure through integrated land use. A city not only has to develop a modern transport system but also has to use land in an integrated manner. But we don't have that here. Anyone builds infrastructure as he likes. It affects the road. Some of the listed 427 buildings have received traffic circulation clearance. However, most of them did not take the permit, said Sabiha Parveen, executive director of DTCA. He said, "We will hold this list and take necessary measures."
When asked what kind of measures will be taken, he said, "Those who will apply now, if we see that the parking and traffic management of the building can be fixed, then instructions will be given accordingly." And if I see that the parking and traffic management of the building will not be right, then I will declare the building canceled.
Mentioning that everyone is suffering due to the construction of these buildings without following proper rules, he said, "Multi-storied buildings mean that many people will gather there." For this reason, adequate parking space should be kept during the construction of the building. Adequate space should be provided for vehicular entry and exit from the main road to the building. If these rules were properly followed during the construction of buildings, there would not have been so much traffic in Dhaka city.
ZH
