PM orders action against unauthorized sleeper buses
Picture: AI
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered necessary action against the operation of unauthorized double decker and sleeper buses. The government has also decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate the operation of auto rickshaws to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka and restore discipline in the transport sector.
The decisions were made at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday, August 29.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Tejgaon Office. Detailed discussions were held on the traffic situation in Dhaka city, vehicle pressure on major roads and flyovers, public transport management, rearrangement of bus terminals, parking facilities and modernization of traffic management. The information was provided by Shahadat Swadhin, Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister.
The meeting decided to introduce an Electric Toll Collection system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers. An app will also be developed to make toll collection faster and more technology driven. The Prime Minister instructed the relevant authorities to complete the work within the next four months.
The Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to review an existing report prepared by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, or BUET, to address the long-standing traffic congestion around the Jatrabari Gulistan Flyover. BUET was asked to submit the report with necessary recommendations within the next 15 days. The city corporation and traffic police will be responsible for implementing the initiative.
A decision has been made to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj to bring greater discipline to the capital's public transport system. Necessary land will be acquired through the Ministry of Local Government for this purpose. As construction of a permanent bus terminal will take time, a temporary bus terminal will be built on 15 acres of land under the Jhilmil project within the next four months.
A decision has also been made to expand the rear section of the Gabtoli Bus Terminal to increase its capacity. The Prime Minister instructed the Roads Division, traffic police and relevant agencies to work together to implement the project quickly. At the same time, a decision was made to relocate the Kitchen Market in Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli.
The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities to reduce traffic congestion around the Secretariat. In this regard, it was decided to examine whether parking facilities could be arranged at Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Authorities were also instructed to identify alternative parking locations if necessary.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Pabna 5 constituency 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 concerned were present at the meeting.
