DHAKA: A number of rights movement organisations Monday recommended developed mass transportation system and controlling private cars on city roads to get rid of severe traffic jams the capital is plagued by for years.

They also demanded raising taxes to discourage private car and an action plan for the movement of pedestrians, bicycles and rickshaws alongside buses.

The campaigners made the plea from a press conference at the National Press Club ahead of the ‘World Carfree Day-2010, to be observed on September 22.

Citizens Rights Movement (CRM), Paribesh Bachao Andolan and Nirapad Development Foundation jointly organised the press meet with acting President of CRM Enayetur Rahim in the chair.

Since 1970, the World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars. Each year, on September 22, people around the world mark the day for raising awareness to control private cars on roads considering the energy crisis worldwide. In Bangladesh, the day has been observed since 2006.

Citing a report published in a daily, CRM Secretary-General Tusar Rehman in his keynote said the traffic jam in the capital causes a huge loss worth about 200 billion taka per day.

“As a bus only can carry passengers of almost 30 private cars’, we should go for public transport,” he added.

Regarding observance of the day in Bangladesh, Enayetur Rahim said, “We want to create awareness of mass transportation system.” Besides, the government should observe the day officially.

Chairman of Paribesh Bachao Andolan Abu Naser Khan and Imrul Syed Rana of Nirapad Development Foundation, among others, spoke at the press meet.

BDST: 1547 HRS, SEPT 20, 2010