PM issues seven directives to ease Dhaka traffic congestion

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued seven directives to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka, modernise the traffic management system and restore discipline in the transport sector.

He issued the directives at a meeting held at his Tejgaon office on Saturday, chaired by him.

The meeting discussed the prevailing traffic situation in Dhaka, vehicle pressure on major roads and flyovers, public transport management, reorganisation of bus terminals, improvement of parking facilities and modernisation of traffic management.

Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin briefed reporters on the meeting.

The meeting decided to introduce electronic toll collection (ETC) systems at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers to make toll collection faster, more efficient and technology-driven.

An app will also be developed for the system, and the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to complete the work within four months.

The meeting also discussed measures to ease longstanding congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover.

The prime minister directed Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to review an existing report prepared on the area and determine measures to ease congestion.

BUET was asked to submit a report with necessary recommendations within 15 days. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the city corporations and traffic police.

The meeting also decided to relocate Fulbaria bus terminal to Keraniganj to streamline public transport in Dhaka.

The necessary land will be acquired through the Local Government Division for the project. The relocation is expected to reduce the pressure of buses and inter-district vehicles in central Dhaka and help ease congestion.

As construction of a permanent bus terminal is a long-term project, the meeting decided to build a temporary terminal on 15 acres of land under the Jhilmil project within four months.

The meeting also decided to expand the rear section of Gabtoli bus terminal to increase its capacity and improve vehicle management.

The prime minister directed the Roads and Highways Division, traffic police and other relevant agencies to work in coordination to implement the measure quickly.

It was also decided to relocate the kitchen market at Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli to help reduce traffic congestion in the capital. Relevant authorities were directed to take the necessary steps.

The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities around the Secretariat.

It decided to examine the possibility of arranging parking at Osmani Memorial Auditorium and to identify alternative parking sites if necessary. The initiative is aimed at controlling traffic generated by vehicles serving the Secretariat and ensuring smoother movement on surrounding roads.

The meeting decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate and streamline the movement of autorickshaws in Dhaka.

The prime minister also directed the authorities to take necessary action against unauthorised double-decker sleeper buses operating in the capital.

He stressed the need for stronger coordination among the relevant agencies and urged all concerned to complete the assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, the Cabinet Secretary, the prime minister's principal secretary and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.