Traffic Jams in Dhaka: A Daily Struggle and Travel Guide
Many call Dhaka a city of love, while others jokingly say – “Dhaka means traffic jams.” For those who live here regularly, traffic jams are an everyday companion.
So how are Dhaka’s traffic jams actually affecting our lives, and how can travelers deal with them? Let’s find out like a story.
Everyday stories on the streets of Dhaka
As the morning rush of office-going people begins, long queues of vehicles can be seen on the city’s main roads. Car horns, bus honking, rickshaw bells—all of them create a strange world of sounds. Office hours, school hours, or after the rain—every street in Dhaka seems to be stuck in an invisible web.
For example, your flight is at 10 am. You might think that it’s only 30 minutes to get to the airport. But in reality, that 30-minute journey can sometimes take one to two hours. This is the reality of Dhaka.
Why is there so much traffic jam?
There are several main reasons for traffic jams in Dhaka:
- Population pressure – Dhaka’s population is constantly increasing, but the roads have not increased in proportion.
- Excess vehicles – New cars are being added every day, while parking and road management are limited.
- Irregular traffic management – Broken signals, lack of traffic police or non-compliance with rules – all of which create chaos.
- Narrow roads – In many areas, roads are so narrow that jams occur when buses, trucks and rickshaws move together.
- Metro rail and development work – As development work is underway in various parts of the city, additional pressure is created on alternative roads.
What does Dhaka traffic mean for travelers?
If you are a traveler and are visiting Dhaka, traffic jams can affect your time and plans. For example:
- You wanted to visit Lalbagh Fort, but your car got stuck for an hour in the afternoon rush.
- If you want to visit Shapla Chattar or Sadarghat, you may have no choice but to walk in the afternoon rush.
But don’t despair. With a little intelligence, you can avoid a lot of traffic jams.
Some useful tips for travelers
1. Make good use of your time
- If you leave early in the morning or late in the afternoon, the traffic is relatively light.
- Avoid school and office start times (7:30–9:30 am) and return times (5:00–8:00 pm).
2. Use public transport
Dhaka’s new Metro Rail is a great option for travelers. Through it, you can get from one end of the city to the other quickly and without traffic jams.
3. Choose rickshaws and CNG for short distances
If you want to visit Old Dhaka or busy markets, rickshaws are the best. It is much easier and faster to travel by rickshaw than by car.
Traffic jams in Dhaka
Traffic jam in Dhaka City
A Paragraph on Traffic Jam
Traffic jams occur when there are many cars and vehicles on the road, making it difficult for everyone to move. There can be various reasons for this, such as too many cars, road construction, accidents, or bad weather. After a traffic jam, drivers have to wait for a long time to reach their destination. Sitting in a car for a long time can be annoying and tiring. In this situation, many times people start playing games on their mobile or listening to music, so that the time passes easily and it helps to wait for the traffic to clear.
Now a days, it is a common problem, which often affects our daily lives. Therefore, if we take some precautions before using the road and get out on the road on time, then it may be possible to reduce this problem to some extent.
4. Get an app-based car or bike
Renting a car or motorbike through an app like Uber, Pathao or Shohoz will save you time. Bike services can especially deliver quickly even during busy times.
5. Use alternative routes
Find out from locals which roads are less crowded. Sometimes, going through small alleys is faster than the main roads.
Learning from the experience of locals
Dhaka people know that you always have to have an alternative plan to avoid traffic. For example:
Many people carry a book or a movie on their mobile phone with them when going to the office, so that they don’t feel like wasting time in traffic jams.
Some use bicycles or electric scooters, especially for short distances.
Still others schedule work hours or meetings online so that they don’t have to go out on the road every day.
Traffic Jams in Dhaka – A Different Perspective
Although traffic jams are a pain for us, they can also be seen as an “experience” of Dhaka. Sitting inside a rickshaw, you will see the narrow streets of old Dhaka, the roadside tea shops, the hawkers of coffee, or the busy lives of people in between trips.
A foreign traveler once said, “Dhaka’s traffic jams did not bother me, but showed me a real picture of people’s lives.”
A ray of hope for the future
The government and authorities have taken various initiatives to reduce traffic jams in Dhaka. For example:
- The metro rail has already been largely operational.
- New flyovers, underpasses, and road extensions are underway.
- Initiatives have been taken to improve the public transport system.
If these are fully implemented in the future, it is expected that traffic jams in Dhaka will be reduced to a great extent.
Traffic jams in Dhaka are not just about waiting on the road – they’re about experiencing the city in a raw, unfiltered way. For locals, it’s part of everyday survival; for visitors, it’s a test of patience but also a glimpse into the soul of a bustling megacity.
So, the next time you find yourself stuck in Dhaka’s traffic, don’t just think of it as wasted time. Look around – you’ll see the rhythm of the city, the resilience of its people, and the energy that makes Dhaka both chaotic and beautiful.
And remember: in Dhaka, traffic isn’t just a problem, it’s an experience.