DHAKA, March 24, (V7N) — The government has taken a comprehensive initiative to reform and modernize Dhaka’s traffic management system to ease chronic congestion in the capital.

The decision came today at a special meeting on “Reducing Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City and Modernizing Traffic Management” held at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed authorities to take quick and effective measures, stressing the need for a modern, time‑appropriate traffic system.

Key decisions taken include:

Automation of traffic signals using local technology, with 120 signals to be gradually brought under the system.

Construction of new bypass roads, overpasses and underpasses inside the city.

Removal of unauthorized bus counters and relocation of five inter‑district bus terminals outside Dhaka, converting them for city service use.

Clearing roadsides of illegal occupation and removing electric poles from roadways.

Introduction of automated signal lighting systems at railway crossings alongside manual systems.

Implementation of GPS tracking for city buses.

Installation of escalators on most foot overbridges, with elevators near hospitals developed using local technology.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib, labour leader Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP, DSCC Administrator M Abdus Salam, DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan, RAJUK Chairman Engr Md Reazul Islam, BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Mollah, and IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir were present, among others.

Participants expressed optimism that short‑term measures could significantly ease congestion by the end of April, while medium‑ and long‑term plans would bring sustainable improvements. DSCC and DNCC administrators hoped most proposals could be implemented by April 7.

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