Govt plans new terminals, toll system to ease Dhaka congestion
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered a series of measures to ease Dhaka’s persistent traffic congestion, modernise traffic management and restore discipline to the capital’s transport system.
The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by the prime minister at his Tejgaon office on Saturday to review the capital’s worsening traffic situation and identify measures to improve transport management.
Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Swadhin confirmed the matter.
The meeting reviewed traffic congestion in Dhaka, vehicle pressure on major roads and flyovers, public transport management, bus terminal restructuring, parking facilities and the modernisation of traffic management.
As part of the plan, the government decided to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers.
The move is intended to make toll collection faster, more modern and technology-driven. The meeting also decided to develop an app for the system, with the prime minister directing the relevant authorities to complete the work within four months.
The longstanding traffic congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover also came under discussion.
The prime minister directed authorities to review an existing report prepared by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and determine measures to ease congestion in the area.
BUET was instructed to review its existing report and submit a fresh report with necessary recommendations within 15 days.
The meeting decided that the initiative would be implemented in coordination with the city corporation and traffic police.
The government also decided to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj to bring greater order to Dhaka’s public transport system.
Under the decision, necessary land will be acquired through the Ministry of Local Government to implement the project.
The meeting noted that relocating the terminal could reduce pressure from buses and inter-district vehicles in central Dhaka and help ease congestion.
As construction of a permanent terminal is a long-term project, the government decided to build a temporary bus terminal on 15 acres of land in the Jhilmil project within the next four months.
The rear section of Gabtali Bus Terminal will also be expanded 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 expansion quickly. The meeting also decided to relocate Karwan Bazar’s kitchen market to Gabtali as part of efforts to reduce congestion in the capital.
Relevant authorities were instructed to take the necessary steps to implement the decision.
Improving parking facilities around the Secretariat was also discussed.
