DHAKA: Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Ayubur Rahman Khan sees it as only natural that the capital will get more suffocating with impassable traffic jam for pressures of population.

“For roads, an ideal city should set aside 25 percent areas inside while Dhaka offers only seven percent of its land for roads. Such an unplanned situation coupled with gradually growing populace will create suffocating traffic jams,” he said.

In an interview with banglanews24.com.bd, Khan said the government is sincere about solving the traffic congestion and implementing different plans. “Around a hundred buses from BRTC went to the street recently and another 200 will come in next two months,” he added.

In phases, he added, the state-run Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation will offer 900 buses for the city-dwellers as everything has been finalised.

“Traffic jam is not a problem that develops overnight. High-rise buildings erected in the city did not keep any space for parking,” he said, adding that stern measures have been taken for high-rises not having parking space.

“Restrictions on erection have been imposed if there is no parking space in buildings,” he said.

In response to a question, he said owners were encouraged to use compressed natural gas and banks provided car-loan facilities, but no one thought where those cars would ply.

There have been allegations about fitness certificates for vehicles and driving licenses for drivers issued by BRTA through bending rules. The Chairman said drive against 20-year-old buses and 25 years old trucks is continuing well, keeping dilapidated vehicles at bay.

The BRTA was concentrating on drivers and vehicles with fake licenses, he said, and the drive will be intensified after Eid-ul-Fitr.

BDST 1715 HRS, AUGUST 23, 2010.