While road diversions are usually implemented during construction work, repairs, accidents or even special events, the capital city has recently seen a number of such closures put in place to control traffic.
The diversions can be seen on various roads, including Manik Mia Avenue, Bijoy Sarani, Dhanmondi-27, Bosila and Jatrabari intersection.
A 2017 World Bank report showed that in the last 10 years, average traffic speed has dropped from 21km/h to 7km/h in the capital.
Despite the operation of the metro rail and different flyovers, congestion continues to be a bane.
The road diversions – once lauded last year when it was implemented in Manik Mia – are now the preferred method for tackling congestion. But how are they faring?
The man behind the diversions
Assistant Director of Mohammadpur Traffic Zone Mohammad Aslam Sagar can be credited with the diversions. According to him, the diversions are working.
He said most of those came into place after 5 August, 2024.
"After joining the Mohammadpur zone, I gave the first diversion on Manik Mia Avenue. Earlier, there were two signals at Manik Mia Avenue and Asad Gate. Now there are no signals at Manik Mia. You have to take a U-turn. As a result, no one has to sit still."
He said the Tin Rasta Mor on Bosila was a dream project of theirs.
"We were able to do that last May. We are getting very good results from it. Now the traffic jams aren't like before.
"However, the road is currently damaged, with a drainage pipe also broken. As a result, the water is not being drained. We have informed the roads and highways authorities. I hope they will do the work quickly."
When asked how they create the diversions, he said, "We are now doing the work with cement corners, road dividers, bamboo, ropes. These are my usual tools."
On challenges, he said the city corporations had their plans.
"Their plans are good, but we often have to alternate according to our needs. When the city corporations made the plan, there were fewer cars."
Mixed reactions from drivers
Gabtoli Link, also known as bus number 8, travels from Jatrabari to Gabtoli via Shahbagh, Asad Gate.
Speaking to Stream, bus driver Mohammad Mamun had some positives to share.
"The traffic jams have been reduced a little compared to before, especially in the Jatrabari bus stand area."
Rasel, a driver's assistant on the Savar Paribahan – which runs from Sadarghat to New Market – however, had a different perspective.
"The road on our route has also been diverted. Where I would go straight before, I now have to go around. When I take the U-turn, I have to get into the gridlocks. So, I wouldn't say traffic congestion has reduced," he said.
You stop battery rickshaws and I promise there will be no more traffic jams in Dhaka. Dhaka's battery-run rickshaws were not in my calculations.
He said at the same time, it was costing him more in fuel, while the traffic and U-turns meant there were few passengers.
Rubel, a CNG driver, said, "The traffic jams are reducing in some places. In some places, it is the same as before. However, if I had gone to Bosila in Mohammadpur earlier, it would have taken half an hour. Now it takes a little less time."
Asked about the complaints of bus drivers, Assistant Director of Mohammadpur Traffic Zone Mohammad Aslam Sagar said they had a different agenda.
"They are happy when the signal is on. They think that if the signal is on at Manik Mia, they could stand for a while longer and get more passengers."
Commuters mostly happy
Ritu, who has to commute from Bosila to Karwan Bazar each day by bus, expressed satisfaction with the road diversions.
"Earlier, cars would come and get stuck at the Bosila intersection from all sides. Now, that problem is almost non-existent."
Businessman Asif, a regular commuter on the Bijoy Sarani road, is also happy with the diversions.
Another thing is to stop registering more than one car per family. One car for a family of five and two for a family of ten: see if the traffic jam reduces
"I am a motorcyclist. Compared to other vehicles, if you are on a motorcycle, you get into traffic jams a little less. But Bijoy Sarani was a different matter. I had never been able to cross this intersection without a signal. As a result of the diversion here, now there is no signal at all. The commute time has reduced compared to before."
More initiatives are needed to reduce jams
Although the results of the road diversions are good, police members in charge of traffic believe that it is not possible to completely eradicate Dhaka's jams.
A sergeant in the capital's Farmgate area told Stream on condition of anonymity: "The population in Dhaka is increasing. Cars are increasing day by day. The roads are not increasing in comparison. As a result, we have to stop registering new cars. Public transport has to be increased. Otherwise, it will not be possible to reduce Dhaka's traffic jams in any way."
Assistant Director of Mohammadpur Traffic Zone Mohammad Aslam Sagar also highlighted the problems of the rickshaws.
"You stop battery rickshaws and I promise there will be no more traffic jams in Dhaka. Dhaka's battery-run rickshaws were not in my calculations. Those are extra. But I could not increase the police in that proportion. I could not widen the roads based on the number of rickshaws," he said.
Sagar also mentioned the issue of private vehicles.
"The Department of Environment was making some good plans, one of which was to remove expired cars. Even if that is implemented, the traffic jams will be reduced by a lot. Another thing is to stop registering more than one car per family. One car for a family of five and two for a family of ten: see if the traffic jam reduces!"
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