Human chain calls to curb private cars amid World Car-Free Day

A human chain was formed at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building on Sunday to mark World Car-Free Day 2025, urging authorities to reduce the use of private vehicles and promote sustainable transport.

The event, organized by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) in collaboration with World Car-Free Day organizers, highlighted the urgent need for safer pedestrian infrastructure, cycling facilities, and efficient public transport to protect public health and the environment.

Organizers demanded wide and well-maintained footpaths, higher taxes on new car registrations, strict action against illegal parking, safe bicycle lanes on main roads, bike-sharing systems, and the implementation of bus route rationalization and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Citing a study by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), speakers said traffic congestion costs Dhaka an estimated USD 3–5 billion annually. Carbon emissions from the transport sector were identified as a major contributor to the city’s greenhouse gas output, while air pollution is linked to nearly 80,000 premature deaths each year.

Hafizur Rahman Moyna, founding president of the Citizens’ Rights Protection Forum and chair of the event, said, “We have long campaigned to discourage private car use, but effective measures are yet to be taken. In developed countries, private vehicles are used mainly for family purposes, while public transport serves daily commuting needs.”

Officials present at the human chain included Abdul Latif Khan, Joint Secretary and Additional Executive Director of DTCA; K. M. Toufiqul Rahman, Deputy Transport Engineer; Talukder Rifat Pasha, Policy Officer at the Institute of Wellbeing Bangladesh (IWB); and Proma Saha, Project Officer at Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBB Trust), among others.