Staff Reporter :
The traffic department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has intensified its crackdown on the use of unauthorised stickers, unfit vehicles, and illegal vehicles.
Police sources reveal that many relatives of officials working with different institutions, including the police force, are illegally using stickers of those institutions on their vehicles for undue privileges on city streets.
The information was shared at a press conference held at the DMP media centre on Sunday (May 5).
In the press conference, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Traffic South Division Joint Commissioner SM Mehedi Hasan disclosed that legal action had been taken against a total of 3,174 vehicles from April 12 to May 3.
Commissioner Hasan revealed that the operation resulted in action against 363 unauthorised stickers, 461 unfit vehicles, and 2,350 illegal vehicles.
He emphasised that the traffic police, in collaboration with other forces, are actively working to curb the illegal use of stickers by various organisations, reaffirming that this crime control campaign will continue.
Additionally, the DMP is gearing up to revolutionise traffic control in the bustling capital through the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Commissioner Hasan outlined plans to leverage AI for traffic management, with the aim of alleviating the strain on the traffic department caused by growing demand.
Already in use for traffic control in Gulshan under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), AI-driven traffic control is set to expand to other areas of Dhaka, including Gulshan.
Commissioner Hasan described the ongoing programme as a futuristic approach towards streamlining traffic flow and enhancing road safety in the metropolitan area. “This is part of our office work,” remarked Commissioner Hasan, highlighting the proactive stance of the DMP in embracing technological advancements.
Addressing concerns about insufficient parking facilities in Dhaka, Commissioner Hasan stressed the importance of designated parking areas and urged citizens to comply with regulations regarding parking and passenger pick-up points.
Regarding the issue of battery-operated rickshaws, Commissioner Hasan affirmed the DMP’s commitment to addressing this concern through legal action and vehicle disposal measures. Over 2,000 battery-operated rickshaws have already been removed from the streets as part of this initiative.