URBAN traffic policing in Bangladesh, especially in megacities like Dhaka, operates within a complex and often dysfunctional institutional framework. Despite the presence of multiple agencies tasked with managing transport, enforcing traffic laws and overseeing infrastructure development, a persistent lack of coordination has severely limited the effectiveness of traffic governance. The interplay between outdated legal instruments, poor urban planning and institutional silos creates significant challenges for traffic police, who are frequently left to manage chaos with limited tools and authority. This essay explores the critical institutional and policy gaps that hinder effective traffic policing and urban mobility management in Bangladesh. By identifying structural deficiencies and proposing targeted reforms, it aims to highlight the need for integrated approaches to ensure safe, efficient and sustainable urban transport systems.
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Institutional and policy gaps
TRAFFIC policing operates within a broader institutional framework, which often suffers from fragmentation and a lack of coordination.
Urban traffic management in Dhaka involves multiple stakeholders, including the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, local government bodies, City Corporations, RAJUK, KDA, CDA, WAPDA, and the police. Each of these agencies plays a critical role in regulating traffic flow, enforcing laws and developing infrastructure. However, a persistent and serious lack of coordination among them has significantly undermined the effectiveness of urban mobility management.
One of the most glaring manifestations of this institutional disconnect is the uncoordinated implementation of road and infrastructure development projects. Various government agencies frequently undertake road excavation and repair works without aligning their timelines or consulting one another. As a result, digging and construction activities continue haphazardly throughout the year, blocking key inner-city roads, disrupting traffic patterns and causing immense public suffering. In many instances, the police are not informed in advance about road maintenance or construction activities. This lack of coordination creates sudden disruptions in traffic flow, leading to severe congestion and confusion on the roads. Without prior notice, traffic police are unable to make alternative arrangements or redirect vehicles effectively, which hampers their ability to manage the situation and ensure smooth movement. Such gaps in inter-agency communication highlight the need for a more integrated approach to urban traffic management. These unsynchronised efforts not only intensify traffic congestion but also make it nearly impossible for the police and traffic authorities to manage the situation efficiently.
The absence of a central coordinating mechanism or an integrated urban mobility plan has turned Dhaka’s streets into a battleground of conflicting priorities, where overlapping responsibilities and siloed operations result in confusion, delays and resource wastage. For sustainable traffic management and urban development, it is imperative to establish inter-agency coordination frameworks, shared planning platforms and real-time communication channels to synchronise efforts and ensure accountability.
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Outdated traffic laws
THE Road Transport Act, 2018, was introduced in Bangladesh with the aim of bringing discipline and accountability to the country’s chaotic and often dangerous road transport sector. While the Act was a step forward in modernising outdated laws and introducing harsher penalties for traffic violations, it suffers from several significant limitations. One of the major drawbacks is its inconsistent and selective enforcement, often influenced by pressure from powerful transport workers’ associations, which undermines the rule of law. Many of its provisions, including the strict requirements for driver licensing and vehicle fitness certification, remain poorly implemented due to administrative weaknesses and corruption. Furthermore, the Act lacks a clear framework for coordination among regulatory bodies like the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, police and local government institutions, leading to confusion and overlap in responsibilities. The absence of a transparent mechanism for fare determination and insufficient protection for pedestrians and non-motorised transport users further limits its effectiveness. Additionally, while it prescribes penalties for violations, the legal process remains cumbersome and inefficient, deterring proper legal recourse. As a result, despite its strong language, the Act has yet to bring about the systemic change it promised.
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Inadequate urban planning
TRAFFIC congestion in Dhaka is a visible outcome of longstanding deficiencies in urban planning. The city’s road network is often narrow and poorly laid out, with intersections that lack modern traffic management systems. As the population and number of vehicles have grown, the road infrastructure has failed to keep pace. There is little to no provision for pedestrians, forcing them to share space with moving vehicles and increasing the risk of accidents. Moreover, the absence of dedicated lanes for buses, bicycles and emergency vehicles severely hampers traffic discipline and response times. This chaotic and unplanned road environment makes it extremely difficult for traffic police to regulate the flow of vehicles, ensure safety or respond promptly to emergencies. Without comprehensive urban planning that prioritises mobility, safety and coordination among various road users, any effort to reduce congestion will remain a temporary fix.
In Dhaka and other major cities of Bangladesh, most buildings, commercial establishments and educational institutions lack dedicated parking facilities. As a result, vehicles are often left parked along narrow roads, footpaths or public spaces, further exacerbating traffic congestion and obstructing the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles alike. This absence of planned parking infrastructure reflects a broader failure in urban planning, where rapid construction has outpaced the enforcement of zoning regulations and building codes. In many cases, building approvals were granted without proper consideration of parking requirements, contributing to a chaotic urban environment that is increasingly difficult to manage. Addressing this issue requires stricter regulatory oversight, retrofitting of existing establishments with parking solutions where feasible, and the integration of parking provisions into all future urban development plans. Moreover, designated bays or clearly marked stoppage areas for vehicles must be established to ensure orderly boarding and disembarking, thereby reducing random stops that contribute to traffic congestion and road safety hazards.
The Old Town of Dhaka, like many historic urban settlements, has evolved with a dense and irregular layout characterised by narrow roads, winding lanes and limited open spaces. Since its establishment as an urban centre around 1608 during the Mughal era, the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with rapid urbanisation and population growth. In recent years, many of the old, dilapidated buildings in these areas have undergone renovation or redevelopment as part of gentrification efforts. These upgrades often include the introduction of modern utilities and amenities to align with the demands of contemporary urban living. However, despite improvements in building conditions and residential facilities, the road network in these historic areas has remained largely unchanged. There is often little to no physical scope for widening roads due to the densely packed structures and lack of available land. This poses a significant challenge for traffic management, particularly in a megacity like Dhaka, where the volume of vehicles far exceeds the capacity of these antiquated roadways. The congestion in these areas not only disrupts mobility but also hampers emergency response, public service delivery and the overall quality of urban life. Addressing this issue requires innovative urban planning solutions, such as improved traffic regulation, promotion of non-motorised transport, pedestrianization of certain zones, and investment in alternative transit routes to ease the burden on these historically constrained neighbourhoods.
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Towards solutions: strengthening enforcement and building trust
TO ADDRESS these challenges, a combination of institutional reform, technological adoption and public engagement is required.
Capacity building and training: Traffic police must undergo comprehensive training programs focused on modern traffic management techniques, effective public communication and the integration of digital tools. Specialised modules on conflict resolution, stress management and human rights can enhance their ability to manage challenging street-level encounters with professionalism. Additionally, recruiting more officers is essential to reducing the burden on the existing workforce. Improvements in working conditions, including better facilities, fair duty hours and performance-based incentives, are vital to boosting morale and increasing overall operational efficiency.
Digital enforcement systems: The deployment of automated and tech-driven enforcement tools can significantly improve traffic management and reduce opportunities for corruption. Closed-circuit television systems at key intersections, along with automated number plate recognition and red-light violation detection, can ensure continuous and unbiased monitoring. The integration of electronic fine issuance systems linked to central databases will reduce the need for on-the-spot cash transactions and increase transparency. GPS tracking of public transport vehicles can help monitor route compliance, improve service reliability and discourage reckless driving.
Public awareness campaigns: A long-term solution to traffic mismanagement lies in fostering a culture of civic responsibility. Traffic education should be introduced as part of the school curriculum to instil road discipline from a young age. Simultaneously, targeted awareness campaigns using television, radio, social media and billboards should inform the public about traffic rules and the consequences of violations. Community policing strategies, where officers engage with local residents and stakeholders, can also foster mutual trust and cooperation between the police and the community.
As in other cities around the world, the police in Bangladesh can play a proactive role in promoting road safety by launching awareness and education campaigns targeting citizens — particularly children and students. Given that young people are among the most vulnerable road users, early education about traffic rules, pedestrian behaviour and the dangers of reckless road practices can have a long-lasting impact. Utilising digital platforms such as social media, educational websites and mobile applications can make this outreach more engaging and far-reaching. In addition, the use of audio-visual demonstrations — such as animated videos, interactive presentations, and real-life simulations — can help students better understand road safety protocols in an accessible and memorable way. Schools and educational institutions can collaborate with traffic police to organise regular awareness sessions, safety drills and exhibitions. By fostering a culture of responsible road use from an early age, such initiatives can contribute to long-term behavioural change and reduce the number of road accidents. The integration of modern technology into these campaigns will also help the police connect more effectively with the younger generation and promote a safer urban environment for all.
Public transport: Public transport is widely regarded as the most effective and sustainable solution to the growing traffic congestion in the major cities of Bangladesh. With urban populations rising and private vehicle ownership increasing, the road infrastructure is under immense pressure. An efficient, affordable and reliable public transport system can significantly reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads, easing congestion and lowering carbon emissions. Buses, metro rails and other mass transit options can move a large number of passengers at once, using less road space compared to individual cars or motorcycles. Moreover, improved public transport enhances mobility for low- and middle-income citizens, reduces travel time and promotes economic productivity by ensuring smoother urban connectivity. To achieve this, investment in public transport infrastructure, better service regulation, integration of routes and ensuring commuter safety and comfort are essential steps.
Reform in licensing and regulation: The process of issuing driving licenses must be rigorously restructured to eliminate fraud and incompetence. This includes implementing standardised, transparent driving tests and biometric verification to ensure authenticity. Regular behavioural assessments, refresher courses for professional drivers, and a strict penalty regime for repeated violations can help instil discipline among drivers. Monitoring driving schools and ensuring they meet quality standards is also crucial to producing skilled and law-abiding drivers.
Urban infrastructure development: Sustainable traffic management must be supported by long-term investment in smart and inclusive infrastructure. Constructing overpasses, underpasses and elevated expressways can reduce traffic bottlenecks, while synchronised smart traffic lights can improve traffic flow and reduce delays. Clearly marked pedestrian zones, footbridges and dedicated bicycle lanes will encourage non-motorised transport and ensure the safety of vulnerable road users. These physical improvements, combined with effective law enforcement, can significantly ease urban traffic congestion.
In the current urban governance structure, city corporations in Bangladesh function as nodal authorities — or miniature governments — tasked with coordinating a wide range of civic and utility services for urban residents. Despite this central role, traffic management remains largely fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities and limited coordination between key stakeholders. For instance, while the police are primarily responsible for managing road traffic, they have no control over the maintenance or repair of streetlights, which directly affect road safety and visibility. At the same time, city corporations are entrusted with the installation, maintenance and repair of traffic signals and related infrastructure.
This institutional disconnect often results in operational inefficiencies, poor traffic flow and safety hazards. Given the increasing complexity of urban mobility, it is time to consider the establishment of a specialised, dedicated Traffic Warden Service under the authority of the city corporations. These traffic wardens, properly trained and equipped, can work in close coordination with the police to ensure smoother traffic regulation, respond quickly to minor disruptions, and oversee the functioning of traffic infrastructure.
Such a collaborative and integrated approach would not only enhance the effectiveness of traffic management but also reduce the burden on the police, allowing them to focus on enforcement and other critical duties. Ultimately, this reform could lead to a more responsive, efficient and citizen-friendly urban traffic system.
Urban traffic policing in Bangladesh, particularly in cities like Dhaka, is hindered by deep-rooted institutional and policy gaps that go beyond visible congestion and law enforcement issues. Fragmented responsibilities among agencies, poor coordination, outdated legal frameworks and inadequate urban planning collectively undermine effective traffic management. Despite the presence of the Road Transport Act, 2018, selective enforcement and administrative weaknesses continue to limit its impact. Traffic police operate under intense pressure, often without prior information or the authority to coordinate with other stakeholders, while infrastructure remains outdated and unresponsive to growing urban demands. Sustainable improvement requires a comprehensive, integrated approach involving legal reform, institutional restructuring, investment in public transport and smart infrastructure, and widespread civic education. Without such systemic change, traffic mismanagement will persist, threatening public safety, urban mobility and overall quality of life.
Concluded.
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Dr Md Motiar Rahman is a retired deputy inspector general of police.
