THE worsening traffic congestion in Dhaka owes much to the unchecked, illegal parking of vehicles which becomes acute in crowded neighbourhoods. Roads across the capital are routinely narrowed by vehicles that occupy lanes and crossings while authorities fail to provide for a sustainable solution. The photograph of human haulers haphazardly parked along the Jatrabari鈥揇emra road stretch that 抖阴精品 published on its front page on May 13 amply illustrates the problem. The human haulers, utility vehicles modified to ferry passengers, often without registration, route permits or regard for safety standards, create congestion and add to risks of accidents. Overcrowded and driven unlicensed, the vehicles pose serious risks to passengers and other road users. Their indiscriminate parking exacerbates congestion by blocking major roads and reducing useable road space. Despite their rampant presence, particularly in areas such as Jatrabari and Demra and on city fringes, the Road Transport Authority has largely failed to effectively monitor or regulate their operation. The issue has been further compounded by corruption in traffic enforcement, with credible allegations of extortion and collusion involving traffic personnel allowing the practice to persist unchecked.
A major factor in the increase of human haulers is the lack of proper parking and transport infrastructure. While the city is home to more than 18,000 registered human haulers, the majority of the vehicles run outside the purview of the law. The absence of adequate public transport has also led to the increased popularity of such vehicles. Parking spaces are also a significant problem as these vehicles often occupy already congested areas, aggravating the traffic. Despite occasional enforcement drives by the authorities, including raids and confiscation, the lack of a comprehensive policy to address parking, registration and licensing issues means that human haulers continue to operate unchecked. The safety risks posed by human haulers are undeniable. These vehicles are often driven by underage individuals, many of whom lack driving licences, and their overloaded condition makes them prone to accidents. Road safety experts have for long raised concerns about the danger of these vehicles, yet their presence continues to be largely ignored by authorities. There should be a coordinated effort between the Road Transport Authority and law enforcers to strictly implement regulation and ensure the safety of all road users.
There should, therefore, be a coordinated effort between relevant public agencies and traffic wing of the police to enforce regulation and ensure the safety of people, both who ride the vehicles and the other who only use the road. It is only through proper regulation, effective enforcement and the overhaul of the transport system that Dhaka can hope to rid itself of the danger posed by human haulers.
