The government has decided to step up the ongoing campaign of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) against illegal vehicles in a bid to alleviate traffic congestion and improve road safety in Dhaka city.
The decision came after a meeting held on Monday, chaired by Lt. General (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defense and National Integration Development.
The meeting aimed to review progress following the September 29, 2024, meeting, which outlined strategies for tackling traffic issues in Dhaka.
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The meeting was attended by key figures, including Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Md. Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, representatives from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), and the Dhaka City Corporations, along with transport expert Dr. SM Salehuddin.
Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) said DMP has already deployed 4,200 police officers and 600 student representatives to enhance enforcement.
Since September 1, 2024, the DMP has carried out operations targeting illegal vehicles, including 45,457 battery-operated rickshaws and 5,979 foot-operated rickshaws. Additionally, 1,39,001 traffic violation cases were recorded, resulting in fines totaling nearly Tk 50 crore.
BUET Prof Moazzem Hossain said that, following instructions from the Chief Adviser, traffic signal systems using indigenous technology will be installed at four key intersections in Dhaka by February 6, 2025. The pilot project will be funded by the City Corporation, with the goal of improving the city’s traffic management system.
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Depending on the results of this pilot, the government plans to expand the installation of these traffic signal systems to an additional 18 intersections within the following four months, he added.
Khoda Baksh Chowdhury said that efforts are already underway to formulate a policy for regulating battery-powered rickshaws. Once finalised, this policy will help control their movement on main roads, a key step in improving traffic flow.
He also urged the City Corporation to expedite road marking, traffic signs, and proper markings at bus stops to facilitate smoother vehicle movement across the city.
In addition, Chowdhury emphasised the need to establish at least six traffic monitoring teams led by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and two teams from the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority. These teams will focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of traffic congestion.
He further instructed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to ensure that buses adhere strictly to designated bus stops to prevent delays and improve overall traffic efficiency.
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The meeting underscored the urgency of quickly formulating a policy to regulate battery-powered rickshaws on Dhaka's main roads and implementing effective measures to manage their movement.
Additionally, the City Corporation and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) were directed to take prompt and effective actions to introduce a modern traffic signal system in the city to improve traffic management.