Inter-district buses keep a large part of the busy road in front of the Mohakhali bus terminal in the capital occupied, causing severe traffic gridlock during peak hours. The situation has slightly improved in recent days, but relocation of the terminal is essential. — FE file photo Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the authorities concerned to relocate four intercity bus terminals from the capital as soon as possible to ease traffic congestion.
He gave the directive at the third meeting on reducing traffic congestion and modernising the traffic-management system in Dhaka, said Hasan Shiplu, deputy press secretary to the prime minister.
Tarique chaired the meeting held in the public administration conference room of the Cabinet Division at Bangladesh Secretariat, BSS reports.
Shiplu said the prime minister instructed that the four bus terminals - Fulbaria-Gulistan, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, and Sayedabad-Jatrabari - be moved outside the city at the earliest possible time to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka.
The meeting decided to relocate the Fulbaria-Gulistan terminal to Keraniganj and the Mohakhali terminal temporarily to the eastern part of Dhaka before being permanently relocated near Tongi.
It also decided to shift the Gabtoli terminal to Hemayetpur and the Sayedabad-Jatrabari terminal to Kanchpur.
Shiplu said the prime minister also asked to remove the numerous bus counters scattered across different parts of Dhaka and relocate them to designated locations.
Demarcation of land and land acquisition issues were discussed in addition to the shifting of the bus terminals.
The prime minister had earlier directed to shift Sayedabad, Mohakhali, and Gabtoli terminals to the outskirts of Dhaka within a year.
Meeting sources say though shifting the Sayedabad terminal is possible as Roads and Highways Department (RHD) land in Kanchpur is ready, the demarcation of land at Purbachal and Hemayetpur, as well as Mohakhali and Gabtoli terminals, is yet to be completed due to private ownership.
The meeting also elaborately discussed the progress of the unification of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and decided to formulate a comprehensive policy to bring all systems under one platform.
It decided that the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) would handle ETC management, but directed to hold meetings with the Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Finance to make a decision on the fare distribution system.
Sources say though a significant part of the three-hour meeting focused on ICT unification, it also discussed expanding artificial intelligence (AI)-based signalling systems and permanently freeing footpaths from illegal occupation.
However, no concrete decision was made on these issues.
The RHD, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) operate different ETC software, which is why users face payment difficulties.
Besides, CCTVs set up by these agencies have not been integrated, and RFID tags issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority are often not visible.
As per the decision of an earlier meeting attended by the prime minister, a committee led by Bridges Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf was formed to find ways for ETC unification.
The premier had earlier directed to install AI-based signalling at 76 points in Dhaka.
Monday's meeting was informed that 12 signals from Jahangir Gate to the High Court area could so far be brought under the system.
The prime minister wants quick progress in all cases, but various problems, including political reasons, have been raised at the discussion, says a meeting insider, preferring not to be named.
When the prime minister queried about freeing footpaths in both city corporations, the latter shared different views, including on the rehabilitation of traders, he said.
Regarding bus reforms, the prime minister stressed implementing the old vehicle scrapping policy by focusing on the related issues.
smunima@yahoo.com
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