The staggering road accident statistics, with over 3,000 fatalities annually according to the World Health Organization, highlight the urgent need for a transformation in transportation. An incident in 2018, where two students lost their lives in a tragic collision with a speeding bus, ignited public outrage, resulting in passionate protests.
Experts point to an over-reliance on private vehicles and a lack of organized public transport as the primary culprits behind the mounting issues. The newly introduced metro rail service, Line 6, covering a distance of more than 20 km and serving 16 stations, holds the promise of curbing these challenges.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the service’s inauguration, expressed immense pride in the initiative, pledging to eradicate traffic jams from Dhaka with the metro rail system. The expected impact is vast, facilitating the movement of around 60,000 individuals every hour. As a further measure, plans are underway for additional metro lines to continue tackling the city’s traffic congestion.
Astoundingly, this transformative project faced little opposition, with a notable absence of protests, legal challenges, or public discord. Shawana Chaudhary, an undergraduate student, voiced her eagerness for the change in her daily commute, reflecting the potential of the metro rail service to enhance the lives of Dhaka’s residents. Drawing inspiration from countries like Singapore, Japan, and France, which boast exceptional public transport systems, Bangladesh envisions a future with reduced environmental impact and improved travel experiences.
Shifting focus to Pakistan’s Punjab province, the inception of metro bus and Lahore metro rail services faced its own set of hurdles. The district of Lahore, with its ever-growing population and increasing number of vehicles, experienced severe traffic congestion. Research indicated that densely populated areas in developing nations tend to witness higher rates of road traffic accidents.
Criticism and stay orders from political parties, media, and the public plagued these projects, contributing to delays and cost overruns, ultimately affecting the national exchequer and burdening the less fortunate. In contrast, countries like Turkey demonstrated an intellectual approach by embracing innovative solutions, such as creating separate forest-lined routes for metro buses, ensuring smoother and faster journeys.
The contrast in intellectual progress between nations stems from the stark difference in education and fact-finding approaches. Bangladesh and Turkey’s appreciation of advanced transport facilities showcases the power of knowledge, which must be embraced for progress. It is time for us, as a nation, to break free from the shackles of misinformation and emerge as a truly enlightened society. The moment has come for us to awaken to our senses and move forward toward a brighter future.