Adviser asks BRTA to improve capital’s traffic situation, air quality in a month

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has been given a deadline of one month to improve its services being the highest authority in the transport sector following continuous deterioration in the city's traffic jam and air quality.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said this at a press conference at Bidyuit Bhaban on Thursday after a meeting with stakeholders.
The meeting, also attended by four other advisers, representatives from different government agencies, police, transport sector and environment agencies took several other decisions after holding discussion on various aspects of the gridlock situation and air quality deterioration.
The decisions included launching of buses under a single company on all nine routes of green cluster, identifying the traffic jam-prone areas, addressing indiscriminate parking, freeing footpaths from illegal occupation and introducing school buses.
The meeting also directed all concerned to cooperate with each other for easing the city's traffic jam and improving air quality level.
Adviser Fouzul Kabir said directive has been given to the BRTA to take support from private sectors including well-equipped mechanical workshops and driving schools in case of identifying issues of fitness and improving driving skills.
"In case of failure, the government will take stern action against the BRTA," he said, giving the agency head a warning.
He said though the meeting focused on problems of chronic traffic jam at the entry and exit points, flyovers, level crossings and kitchen markets, traffic police has been directed to identify all other spots in the city within a week for taking measures.
"If necessary, vehicles found illegally parked must be picked up for a couple of days," the advisor said adding that parking for hours on any main road would not be allowed.
Adviser Fouzul Kabir also said city bus operation through a single company will be launched on experimental basis on all nine routes under the green clusters on February 2025, adding that all unfit, old and illegal buses will be removed from the routes.
He also said that the unfit vehicles and those above 20 years old will not be allowed to ply, adding this was cleared to transport owners.
"If necessary, the government will help the bus owners to get financial support from banks," he said.
However, regarding freeing the footpaths, special assistant to the Chief Advisor, Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, said an execution plan has already been taken and it will be disclosed soon.
Replying to a question regarding suspension of Nagar Paribahan, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ehsanul Hoque asked the reporters to wait until February 2025.
The city's 256 routes will be rationalised to 42 routes as part of the bus route rationalisation process.
Regarding introducing buses for educational institutions, the meeting decided to send letters to all schools through the education ministry.
The meeting also shared draft of a law for registering rickshaws and battery-run rickshaws informing that it will be finalised in a month.

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