PM reviews plan to ease gridlock thru' circular roads, waterways

Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman discussed a proposed infrastructure project to reduce traffic congestion in the capital through effective use of circular roads and waterways, reports UNB.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting on road management of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

"The meeting was briefed in detail on how the project could help reduce traffic congestion in the capital," Shiplu said.

The PM was also updated on the latest progress of the Inner Circular Ring Road project from Gabtoli to Babubazar and from Postogola to Demra. Construction is currently underway on the Rayerbazar, Hazaribagh and Kamrangirchar sections of the 12-kilometre project.

Officials at the meeting said around 45 per cent of the work has already been completed. Once completed, the ring road will allow traffic travelling between Dhaka and Sylhet, and Mawa and Chattogram bypassing the city's inner roads, reducing pressure on the capital's road network and helping ease congestion.

The meeting also discussed the potential use of the 110-kilometre circular waterway surrounding Dhaka.

Officials said bringing the route into operation will help reduce pressure on the capital's roads by allowing people to travel easily between different parts of the city by waterways.