Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has issued seven directives aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Dhaka, modernizing the traffic management system and restoring discipline in the transport sector.

The directives were given at a meeting held on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Tejgaon office, chaired by the prime minister.

The meeting discussed Dhaka’s ongoing traffic congestion, pressure of vehicles on major roads and flyovers, public transport management, relocation of bus terminals, improvement of parking facilities and modernization of traffic management.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin briefed reporters about the meeting.

He said the meeting decided to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers. The initiative is intended to make toll collection faster, more modern and technology-driven.

A dedicated app will also be developed for the system. The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to complete the development work within the next four months.

The meeting also discussed measures to address long-standing traffic congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover. The prime minister instructed the authorities to review an existing report prepared by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and determine the necessary measures to ease congestion.

BUET has been directed to review the existing report and submit a new report with recommendations within 15 days. The initiative will be implemented through coordination between the city corporation and traffic police.

To bring greater discipline to Dhaka’s public transport system, the meeting decided to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj. The required land will be acquired through the Ministry of Local Government to implement the project.

The relocation is expected to reduce the pressure of buses and inter-district vehicles in the central parts of the capital and help ease congestion.

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

The meeting also approved expansion of the rear section of Gabtoli Bus Terminal to increase its capacity and improve vehicle management. The prime minister instructed the Roads Division, traffic police and other relevant agencies to work together to implement the project quickly.

Another decision was taken to relocate the kitchen market at Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli as part of efforts to reduce congestion in the capital. Relevant authorities were instructed to take the necessary steps in this regard.

The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities around the Secretariat. Officials were asked to examine the feasibility of arranging parking at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, while also exploring alternative parking locations if necessary.

The initiative is intended to control the volume of vehicles around the Secretariat and ensure smoother traffic movement on surrounding roads.

The meeting further decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate and bring greater discipline to the operation of auto-rickshaws in Dhaka.

In addition, Prime Minister Tarek Rahman directed the authorities to take necessary action against unauthorized double-decker sleeper buses operating in the capital.

The prime minister emphasized stronger coordination among the agencies concerned and urged all relevant authorities to complete the assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines to address Dhaka’s traffic congestion.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Pabna-5 lawmaker Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and other senior officials.

Source: BSS