A move to install an automated traffic signal system at four busy intersections in the city went in vain due to theft of a computer with software from a godown, sources said.
They said the computer had been missing from the godown after getting clearance from the Chittagong Port.
But another source said it could not be traced in a consignment of computers kept at a godown of the zonal office of Dhaka South City Corporation.
Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), the implementing agency of the Tk 520.8 million project, rented the godown to keep its all necessary equipment.
"The fate of the pilot project remains uncertain due to missing of the computer," said a source.
Preferring anonymity, he said the incident also left uncertain the fate of the government's move to bring the city's all busy intersections under the intelligent traffic system (ITS).
There was a possibility of installing the ITS at 16 other busy intersections. The intersections were selected after conducting a study under a revised strategic transport plan (RSTP).
In September 2017, the DTCA took up the pilot project to introduce the ITS-based digital traffic signal system at Paltan, Fulbaria, Mohakhali and Gulshan-1 intersections. It also planned to introduce the digital system at the 20 busy intersections as the existing signaling system failed.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided technical and consultancy support.
DTCA was responsible for completing civil work including installation of signal lights, CCTV cameras and underground cable.
DTCA officials said civil work and installation of equipment were completed before the end of 2019.
While looking for the software for calibration with the equipment, they said, the JICA technical team found the computer missing from the godown in December 2019.
According to information available from the JICA team, they had kept two computers with the software in the godown.
Confirming the theft of the computer, Executive Director Khandakar Rakibur Rahman said a departmental inquiry committee was formed and a report in this regard was submitted after investigation into the matter.
He, however, said the Detective Branch of Police was now investigating the matter soon after an FIR lodged in this regard.
Sources, however, said the departmental inquiry committee could not find any clue about the missing or stolen item or the persons responsible for it.
They also said the matter came to light when the Japanese team started looking for the computer, kept inside a carton, for commissioning the digital traffic system.
Preferring not to be named, another official said they received the cartons with codes from the JICA team without having details about the items inside.
He also said DTCA had tried to find the item but still could not. They also informed the DSCC and police about the matter.
"The stolen computer may be more valuable than other computers and it cannot be used by anyone else."
He added: "It was taken as a computer as it cannot be used for other purposes."
The machines that replaced others at the four crossings were supposed to go into operation with the help of the software counting real time traffic on each lane.
The DTCA was also supposed to hand over the traffic control system to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for its operation on completion of installation.
The city's signal system has almost been operated manually although the electronic signal system had been set up several times in the past with no success.
Under Dhaka Urban Transport Project (DUTP), a halogen-type traffic signal was installed on the New Market-Mirpur Road.
Dhaka City Corporation also installed four types of traffic signals at 59 intersections in 2004 with support of the World Bank.
In most cases, the signal system turned useless due to the operators' inability to manage the volume of traffic and multimodal transport as well as undisciplined drivers.
An unscientific signal system is also cited as the cause of the aggravating traffic congestion and its spread into surrounding areas, drastically cutting the speed of vehicles.
When asked about the fate of the project, Project Director Mohammad Rabiul Alam said they had taken a fresh move to import the software again under the project.
"A move to do special revision of the development project proposal has been taken to buy the software."
But sources said the civil work done at the four intersections already got damaged due to the delay in installation work.
While visiting the intersections, the FE correspondent also found the signs of damage to grade separation wall and roads as the civil work was not done properly.
Project office sources said intersection signal upgrade also became uncertain as the metro rail construction at the Paltan crossing and U-loop construction at the Mohakhali crossing by Dhaka North City Corporation caused damage to civil work.
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