The Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust presented an 18-point recommendation to enhance the country's traffic system, highlighting that approximately 82 lakh working hours are wasted daily due to traffic congestion in Dhaka city on Tuesday.

The organization reported that the economic cost of these wasted hours amounts to about Taka 139 crore each day, translating to over Taka 50,000 crore annually.

The recommendations were unveiled at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka, as detailed in a press release. The Trust noted that a lack of respect for traffic laws, non-compliance, and the absence of mandatory driver training have been significant contributors to the inefficiency of Dhaka's traffic system.

In addition to the 18-point proposal, the Trust advocated for the implementation of an automated integrated traffic management system or a Customizable Integrated Traffic Management System (CITMS) to address these challenges. They expressed optimism that the current interim government would positively influence the development of a multi-modal, integrated, and user-friendly transportation system.

Executive Director Saifuddin Ahmed and traffic signal researcher Ashraful Alam Ratan presented the keynote address, while Syeda Ananya Rahman, program head of the organization, facilitated the event.

Saifuddin Ahmed highlighted that in 2007, the average speed of vehicles in Dhaka was 21 km/h, but this has plummeted to just 4.8 km/h today. He identified several factors contributing to this decline, including undisciplined driving, delays in mega projects on busy roads, reliance on private vehicles, weak traffic signals and monitoring systems, mismanagement of vehicle registration, and a lack of modern traffic management methods.

"If these issues are properly addressed, we can restore speed and discipline on our roads," he asserted.

Ashraful Alam Ratan further elaborated on the ineffective traffic system, citing factors such as reliance on hand-operated signal systems, chaotic vehicle crossings at signals, parking-related obstructions, and a general disregard for the law and absence of mandatory regular driver training.

To mitigate these issues, he proposed the implementation of a Customizable Integrated Traffic Management System (CITMS).

The speakers emphasized that Dhaka has become one of the most congested cities in the world due to its unplanned urban transport system. According to a United Nations Development Program report, Bangladesh's population is projected to rise to 23-25 crore by 2050, with significant growth occurring in urban areas. They warned that if action is not taken to alleviate traffic congestion now, the situation will deteriorate further.

They also called on the interim government to play a proactive role in developing a multimedia-integrated and user-friendly communication system by investing in public transport, including buses, railways, and waterways.

The conference featured contributions from President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, lawyer and policy analyst Syed Mahbubul Alam, technical advisor to Vital Strategies Aminul Islam Sujan, executive member of the Center for Urban Studies Maruf Hossain, and Helal Ahmed, general secretary of the anti-narcotics organization Pratyasha.

Before the press conference, a sit-in demonstration was held in front of the National Press Club, advocating for effective traffic management.