Zero-signal traffic plan

An innovation team under the Ministry of Home Affairs has drafted an ambitious “Zero Signal Traffic Management Model” aimed at eliminating chronic gridlock and ensuring the seamless movement of vehicles across the capital.

The proposal has already been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary, who has directed that a consultative meeting be held with stakeholders from 13 departments spanning various ministries.

Following this directive, the Home Ministry is scheduled to convene a meeting on Sunday with representatives from the relevant departments to discuss the implementation of the plan. The session will be presided over by the Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry at his office.

The proposed model covers 105 kilometres of road, 80 intersections, and requires the construction of 37 major structures. The plan is divided into short, medium, and long-term phases:

In the short-term phase (3 months), internal roads – excluding the primary 105km network – will be managed via automated traffic lights and signals.

Meanwhile, traffic flow will be made uninterrupted through the “Zero Signal” system across 105 kilometres of Dhaka’s roads, effectively linking the city’s north, south, east, and west, in the mid-term phase (1-2 years).

Long-term phase (2-4 years) involves the construction of new bypass roads within the capital. Key measures include removing bus counters from the city, relocating inter-district bus terminals to the outskirts, and prohibiting covered vans and trucks from operating during daylight hours. The plan also envisions the introduction of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and a revitalisation of internal city bus services.

To facilitate the model, the team has identified the need for 37 specific structures, including 16 overpasses or underpasses, 13 “U-loop” overpasses, seven overpass/underpass interchange circles, and one “youth U-loop” interchange. Additionally, 30 foot-over-bridges are required. 

The innovation team estimates the total cost of implementing the model at Tk26,772.16 crore.

The team illustrated the necessity of the project by citing the 22-kilometre stretch from Nimtali to Abdullahpur. Currently, a vehicle encounters 23 signals on this route. If a vehicle is delayed by five minutes at each signal, it loses 115 minutes in total.

Factoring in a travel time of 33 minutes (at an average speed of 40 km/h), the journey currently takes approximately 148 minutes. The “Zero Signal” model aims to reclaim those 115 minutes lost to idling at intersections.

The project was developed by a specialized team including Additional Secretary (Admin and Finance) Ataur Rahman Khan as adviser, with Joint Secretary Md Abdullah Hokkany serving as Chief Innovation Officer and Joint Secretary Tawhidul Islam as Alternate Chief Innovation Officer.

Other members include Deputy Secretaries Nasrin Sultana, Hasnat Morshed Bhuiyan, Abdullah Al Zabed, and Kazi Arifur Rahman, alongside Programmer Prokash Chandra Karmaker. System Analyst Nur Mohammad serves as Member Secretary, supported by Alternate Member Secretary Ayub Hossain.