Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers within four months as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka and modernise the city’s transport system.
He gave the directive at a meeting at his Tejgaon office that reviewed the capital’s traffic situation, public transport management, bus terminals, parking facilities and traffic system modernisation.
The meeting decided to develop an app to support the ETC system and complete the work within four months, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.
The Prime Minister also asked Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to review its earlier report on congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover and submit recommendations within 15 days.
The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the city corporations and traffic police.
Fulbaria terminal to be shifted to Keraniganj
The meeting decided to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj to reduce pressure from buses and inter-district vehicles in central Dhaka.
The Local Government Ministry will acquire the required land for the permanent terminal.
As construction of a permanent terminal will take time, the meeting decided to build a temporary bus terminal on 15 acres of land under the Jhilmil project within four months.
The authorities were also instructed to expand the rear section of Gabtoli Bus Terminal to increase its capacity and improve vehicle management.
Karwan Bazar kitchen market to move to Gabtoli
The meeting also decided to relocate the kitchen market at Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the capital.
Relevant authorities were instructed to take necessary steps to implement the decision.
The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities around the Secretariat.
It decided to examine the feasibility of arranging parking at Osmani Memorial Auditorium and identify alternative parking spaces if necessary.
Separate policy for auto-rickshaws
The meeting decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate the movement of auto-rickshaws in Dhaka.
The Prime Minister also ordered action against unauthorised double-decker sleeper buses operating on the roads.
He stressed stronger coordination among the relevant agencies and urged officials to complete the assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.